HC Deb 05 December 1978 vol 959 cc577-8W
45. Mr. Sproat

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now give consideration to making persons ineligible for social security benefits until they have lived in the United Kingdom for a specific length of time.

Mr. Orme:

The qualifying conditions attaching to most benefits provided under the Social Security Act effectively impose waiting periods, although people Coming from an EEC country, or from a country with which the United Kingdom has a reciprocal agreement, may qualify for some benefits without waiting. Supple-mentary benefit is a means-tested benefit based on need and does not involve a residence condition. The Government have no plans to alter these conditions.