HC Deb 15 November 1955 vol 546 c189
24. Mr. J. Howard

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will modify the qualifications for an increase in Service pensions, under paragraphs 2 and 3 of Forms 340 (b) and 340 (c), so as to exclude the earned income of a pensioner's wife in calculating the pensioner's income for the purpose of this increase.

Mr. Head

The rules for granting an increase of Army pensions have to be kept in line with those for the increase of pensions awarded under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, and the qualification to which my hon. Friend refers applies equally to both.

Mr. Howard

Does my right hon. Friend not feel that it is totally wrong that a Service man's pension should be adversely affected by the fact that his wife goes out to work?

Mr. Head

These two factors have always been linked, and it would require a departure from precedent for that to be changed.