HC Deb 25 October 1979 vol 972 cc301-2W
Mr. Shersby

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services why British pensioners resident in Portugal are not to receive any increase in that part of the pension which has already become payable to United Kingdom residents, following the coming into operation on 1 October of the reciprocal agreement with Portugal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

Pensioners resident outside the United Kingdom do not receive pension increases unless they live either in another EEC country or in a country with which there is a reciprocal agreement providing for pension increases. The reciprocal agreement with Portugal does not provide for the payment of any in- creases in pension which took place before the agreement came into operation on 1 October 1979. The need to limit public expenditure means that provision for paying earlier increases cannot be made.