HC Deb 09 September 1942 vol 383 cc183-4W
Mr. Rostron Duckworth

asked the Minister of Pensions the revised basis of assessing the amounts to be deducted from war pensions in cases where disabled men and the widows and children of men killed recover third-party damages; the date of introduction; and whether any application is necessary?

Sir W. Womersley

In normal circumstances in future a proportion of the damages recovered from a third party will be disregarded in assessing the deduction to be made from pension. Where the pension is a disability pension the amount to be disregarded will be £75 or 25 per cent. of the damages, whichever is the greater. Where the pension is a widow's pension the amount to be disregarded will be £50 or 10 per cent. of the damages, whichever is the greater, but in no case will a widow's pension be reduced below 10s., the amount of a widow's contributory pension. Where damages have been awarded specifically for children in respect of the death of a parent, the sum of £150 will be disregarded in respect of each child. The concession has effect from 29th July, 1942, and any case in which a pension concurrently in payment has been abated in accordance with the previous practice will be revised as from that date without application.