The Minister will be aware that there are a significant number of expatriate pensioners living in France and other European countries who are suffering considerable poverty as a result of the Government’s inability to honour the European Court’s findings and to pay to them the disability living allowance and other benefits to which they are entitled. When are the Government going to make a decision on that issue?

[Official Report, 2 February 2009, Vol. 487, c. 564-65.]

Letter of correction from Ms Rosie Winterton:

An error has been identified in the oral answer given to the hon. Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale) Oral Questions on 2 February 2009. The full answer given was as follows:

We have been clear that if people claimed the benefit before they moved abroad, they are entitled to continue to claim it. For people who are eligible for it, it is frozen at the limit at which they received it before they left.

The correct answer should have been:

We have been clear that if people claimed the benefit before they moved abroad they are entitled to continue to claim it for people who are eligible for it. It is not frozen at the limit at which they received it before they left.