§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Erewash (Liz Blackman) of 21 December 2000,Official Report, column 260W, concerning pensioners with a period of residence in Australia, when the arrangements to protect their position will be put in place; what the arrangements will be; and what steps will be taken to notify people with periods of residence after 5 April 2001. [146391]
§ Mr. RookerArrangements are in place to protect the basic state pension position of people with periods of residence in Australia, which began during the currency 637W of the Social Security Agreement with Australia, on their return to live permanently in the United Kingdom. The arrangements are that these people can use periods of residence in Australia up to 5 April 2001 as periods for which National Insurance contributions have been paid. The termination of the Agreement has been publicised in the media and in leaflets.