HC Deb 12 May 1988 vol 133 cc243-4W
Mr. Maginnis

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services whether pensioners from Australia, Canada and New Zealand who live within the United Kingdom have their pensions frozen by their respective Governments in the same way as British pensions are frozen.

Mr. Scott

New Zealand superannuation is not payable abroad except during temporary absences. Australian and Canadian pensions payable to pensioners living in the United Kingdom are not frozen by their respective Governments but entitlement for those living abroad is restricted in other ways. Australian old age pensions are awarded only to people who claim while permanently resident in Australia. Canadian old-age security pensions are payable outside Canada, other than during temporary absences, only to people who have resided in Canada for at least 20 years after the age of 18 (compared with a residence requirement of 10 years for those living in Canada).