§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the new social security agreement to be signed between the Western European Union and the United Kingdom Government will allow members of the staff to be affiliated with effect from 1975 to class 1 of the British national insurance scheme on the same basis as staff of other diplomatic missions, that is, without contributions from the member Governments as employers; and whether, in the case of the Western European Union staff members exempted from class 1 affiliation, the contributions paid by the employer and employee since the introduction of a new scheme in 1975 will be refunded.
§ Mr. RossiIt is expected that the social security agreement between the Western European Union and the United Kingdom Government will follow established principles for agreements between the United Kingdom Government and international organisations. The exact arrangements are currently the subject of discussions between the Department and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the one hand and the Western European Union on the other. I am unable to say what the outcome of these discussions will be.