Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Pensioners (Payments Overseas) – 5 March 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Pensioners (Payments Overseas) on 5th March 1986.

Mrs. Renée Short Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many British passport holders living in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Canada are at present claiming British state pension; and what proportion of them are receiving it at 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 levels.

Mr. Major On 31 December 1985 British widows’ and retirement pensions were being paid to 19,763 pensioners living in South Africa, 23,672 in New Zealand, 99,129 in Australia and 56,451 in Canada. As entitlement to pension depends on the claimant’s national insurance contribution record and not nationality, it is not known how many are British passport holders. The other requested information is not available; it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.