HC Deb 10 November 1981 vol 12 cc414-5
14. Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current level of pension paid ex-gratia to pre-1950 Service widows.

Mr. Wiggin

The current rates vary according to rank from £25.05 a month for the widows of corporal or below to £44.87 for widows of warrant officer class I. In accordance with the announcement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Social Services on 11 March, the rates will rise by 9.06 per cent. on 23 November.

Mr. Viggers

Is my hon. Friend aware that more than 13,000 elderly and deserving widows are deeply grateful to the Government for granting them pensions—a task which the previous Government said was administratively impossible?

Mr. Wiggin

I entirely endorse my hon. Friend's remarks, except that I am advised that about 17,000 widows have benefited from our having carried out that electoral promise.

Sir John Biggs-Davison

Will my hon. and sympathetic Friend give fresh consideration to the representation of war widows at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Day?

Mr. Wiggin

That is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, but I am sure that he will see what my hon. Friend has said.