§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many British citizens living permanently 882W abroad are in receipt of pensions and other specified benefits; and what is the total annual cost.
§ Mr. PrenticeBritish retirement, widows, industrial disablement and war pensions are payable anywhere in the world, regardless of the pensioner's nationality or whether his absence abroad is permanent or temporary. I regret that information is not therefore available in the form requested. About 250,000 recipients of British pensions and benefits are outside Great Britain. The annual cost of their pensions and benefits at present rates is about £100 million.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services for what other reasons pensions and other benefits are transmitted to British citizens abroad who are not permanently resident abroad.
§ Mr. PrenticeBritish retirement pensions, widows' pensions, industrial disablement pensions and war pensions are payable anywhere in the world, whether the beneficiary's absence from Great Britain is temporary or permanent.
In general, other social security benefits can be paid abroad only during limited periods of temporary absence from Great Britain. The circumstances in which payment may continue vary from benefit to benefit, and can be varied further by the terms of EEC regulations or the provisions of a bilateral agreement on social security with the country concerned. If the hon. Member has a particular benefit or country in mind and will let me have details, I shall be glad to advise him further.