§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are receiving sickness benefit who are currently residing in the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. Peter LloydCurrently, 50 claimants in the Republic of Ireland are being paid sickness benefit from the Department's overseas branch at Newcastle upon Tyne. There could be a small number of claimants being paid by the Department's local offices but the numbers involved, if any, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.