HL Deb 09 February 1988 vol 493 cc195-6WA
Lord Stallard

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any negotiations are in progress with other countries about the introduction of a reciprocal social security agreement and with which countries.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)

Her Majesty's Government have been in correspondence with the Government of Barbados in preparation for negotiations on the introduction of a social security convention between their two countries. Additionally, negotiations and discussions are in progress on changes to the existing conventions Her Majesty's Government have with Australia, Cyprus, Guernsey, the Republic of Ireland, Malta, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.

Lord Stallard

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish an up-to-date list of those countries with which we have reciprocal social security agreements; and

How many United Kingdom persons are resident in those countries where we have a reciprocal social security agreement.

Lord Skehnersdale

The table shows the countries with whom the United Kingdom has reciprocal agreements on social security and the approximate numbers of British nationals resident in those countries.

Country Approximate No. of resident British nationals
Australia up to 2 million**
Austria 5,100
Belgium *
Canada 1 million plus**
Cyprus 18,000
Denmark 10,500
Finland 1,300
France 43,000
Federal Republic of Germany 95,000
Gibraltar *
Iceland 300
Republic of Ireland 50,000**
Isle of Man *
Israel 46,000
Italy 29,000
Jamaica 1,840
Jersey & Guernsey *
Luxembourg 2,860
Malta 3,000
Mauritius 830
Netherlands 50,000
New Zealand 400,000**
Norway 12,300
Portugal 7,000
Spain 83,500
Sweden 17,000
Switzerland 22,300
Turkey 2,300
United States of America 750,000 plus**
Yugoslavia 300

Note: *No figures available.

**Estimated figures.