§ Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the reason why British pensioners living in Canada receive no pension uprating;
(2) if he has approached the Canadian Government recently to ascertain if it is prepared to enter into a social security agreement with Britain to provide for the future payment of pension increases to British pensioners living there.
§ Mr. ScottThe last occasion on which the United Kingdom Government asked the Canadian Government if they would be prepared to enter into a social security agreement with Britain to include the future payment of pension increases to British pensioners living in Canada was in 1972. At that time the Canadian Government were unable to enter into negotiations. Since then informal 407W discussions have taken place between officials from time to time. However, the substantial costs involved have prevented the United Kingdom from providing for the payment of pension increases.