HC Deb 17 April 1973 vol 855 cc249-50
18. Mr. John Morris

asked the Minister of State for Defence whether the recent announcement on improved pensions to those injured and the dependants of those killed will apply to all Servicemen serving after March 1973; and why the ex gratia payments are limited in time and to those having served in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Ian Gilmour

As I said in the defence debate on 15th March, I hope that we shall shortly be able to make a statement about improved pensions provisions for death and injuries attributable to service, which will apply to all regular Service men who serve on or after 31st March 1973. At the same time I explained that, because these general improvements cannot apply retrospectively, we had thought it right to make some special provision outside the formal pension scheme for men invalided and women bereaved as a direct result of terrorist activity in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Morris

While the Minister's statement is welcome, may I ask him to explain why a distinction has been made between classes of Service men? First, all Service men, regardless of service in Northern Ireland, will benefit if they are injured or killed after 31st March of this year and are serving generally. Before 31st March of this year, and since 1969, that has applied only to those serving in Northern Ireland. How does he explain the situation to existing pensioners and dependants and to those who suffered in the last war and previously? Why should ex gratia payments be confined to those killed and injured between 1969 and 1973 in Northern Ireland as distinct from those killed or injured in other parts of the world?

Mr. Gilmour

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, whenever an improvement is made in pensions there are bound to be some people just outside the line who will be disappointed. We regret that. However, we thought that both the House and the country would consider that Northern Ireland was a special category and that those who have been killed or wounded seriously in Northern Ireland should be dealt with as special cases.

Mr. Churchill

My hon. Friend may have seen the early day motion in my name signed by more than 100 right hon. and hon. Members from both sides of the House calling for special financial provision for those brave men who undertake special risks in Ulster today— namely, the Bomb Disposal Squad. Is he prepared to give consideration to such a request?

Mr. Gilmour

I have seen the motion to which my hon. Friend refers. As I said to my hon. Friend during the defence debate, we are considering this matter.

Mr. Morris

I realise that the Minister has drawn a line, but how does he explain the distinction to all the other Service men who might have benefited?

Mr. Gilmour

I hope that I can rely on the help of the right hon. Gentleman and other hon. Members. As I have said, the explanation is that we thought Northern Ireland was a very special case.