§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will renegotiate the reciprocal agreement with Portugal, with a view to improving benefits to British pensioners.
§ Mr. RossiThe reciprocal agreement on social security between the United Kingdom and Portugal came into 447W operation on 1 October 1979 and provided for reciprocity on a range of benefits. One of its provisions enables increases in United Kingdom pensions becoming payable after the date of the agreement to be extended to pensioners living in Portugal. The agreement made no provision, however, for the award of any increase which predated the agreement. This restriction was necessary because of the constraints on public expenditure. In view of the continuing need to contain public expenditure, there is no immediate prospect of re-negotiating the agreement with Portugal to make further improvements in benefits for our pensioners living there. When Portugal becomes a full member of the European Community, the reciprocal agreement will be largely superseded by EC regulations on social security.