§ Sir Mark Lennox-BoydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a further statement on pensions in Gibraltar. [22839]
§ Mr. David DavisThe British and Gibraltar Governments have reached an agreement under which Gibraltarian and other eligible pensioners, irrespective of nationality or residence, will receive fixed payments representing their full entitlement under the Gibraltar social insurance fund which was wound up at the end of December 1993. To help meet this commitment, the British Government will provide assistance to the Government of Gibraltar at about £9 million for the first year, reducing progressively thereafter. A new pensions scheme, backdated to 1 January 1994, will be set up in Gibraltar on the basis of non-discrimination and full compliance with EC regulations. Funds for 1996–97 will be sought through a supplementary estimate. Funds will 387W be additional to the planned overseas aid budget announced on 28 November 1995. A minute will be placed in the Libraries of the House.