HC Deb 27 October 1981 vol 10 c328W
Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services approximately how many national insurance retirement pensions are currently being paid to persons living abroad; what proportion this represents of the total of national insurance retirement pensions in payment; and which are the main countries of residence.

Mr. Rossi:

At November 1980 there were 238,000 national insurance retirement pensions in payment to people living abroad, representing 2.7 per cent. of the total of 8,919,000. These figures exclude payments of non-contributory retirement pensions and graduated pension only. The main countries of residence were as follows:

Australia 29 per cent.
Canada 13 per cent.
Republic of Eire 12 per cent.
United States of America 9 per cent.
New Zealand 8 per cent.
South Africa 5 per cent.