HC Deb 19 March 1991 vol 188 cc66-7W
Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to reach a social security agreement with Caribbean countries to enable those retiring there to receive annual increments to their old age pension.

Mr. Jack

The United Kingdom has a reciprocal social security agreement with Jamaica which provides for the payment of annual pension increases. Negotiations for an agreement with Barbados are nearly complete. This will provide for future pension increases to be paid after the agreement comes into force. We have no plans to negotiate agreements with any of the other Caribbean countries.

Mr. Bernie Grant

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those countries which have a reciprocal agreement with Britain which ensures that retired people who are entitled to a British pension receive an annual increase.

Mr. Jack

The United Kingdom has reciprocal social security agreements, providing for the payment of annual pension increases, with the following countries:

Austria Jamaica
Belgium Jersey
Bermuda Luxembourg
Cyprus Malta
Finland Mauritius
France Netherlands
Germany Philippines
Gibraltar Portugal
Guernsey Spain
Iceland Sweden
Ireland Switzerland
Isle of Man Turkey
Israel United States of America
Italy Yugoslavia

Pension increases are also paid to pensioners living in Sark by virtue of a provision of the Social Security (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975.