HC Deb 12 July 1994 vol 246 cc573-4W
Mr. Churchill

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many British pensioners residing overseas in countries where their pensions are frozen are over(a) 80, (b) 75 and (c) 70 years of age; and what would be the cost of unfreezing their pensions above these respective age thresholds.

Mr. Hague

The information is in the table.

Number of pensioners
Pensioners aged 80 and over 79,273
Pensioners aged 75 and over 123,366
Pensioners aged 70 and over 228,377

Estimated cost of unfreezing pensions
£ million
Pensioners aged 80 and over 107
Pensioners aged 75 and over 138
Pensioners aged 70 and over 192

Mr. Churchill

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals are in receipt of frozen British state retirement pensions; and what is the average level of weekly payment in (a) Australia, (b) Canada, (c) New Zealand, (d) South Africa and (e) the Falkland Islands.

Mr. Hague

The information is in the table.

Country Number of retirement pension and widow beneficiaries at 29 January 1994 Estimated average level of weekly payment £
Australia 159,235 21.54
Canada 118,362 17.86
New Zealand 32,042 20.57
South Africa 33,208 21.17
Falkland Islands 17 29.26