HC Deb 16 March 1953 vol 512 cc168-9W
Mr. Hollis

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what increases there have been in retired Service pensions granted prior to 1939.

Mr. Birch

Increases, at rates varying with the circumstances of the individual recipient, have been granted by the Prerogative Instruments corresponding to the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1944, 1945 and 1952. In addition, many Service men who were in receipt of retired pay or pensions before 1939 have had increases as a result of re-assessment of their awards based upon additional war service.

Some examples of the maximum increases granted on various rates of prewar pension for those who did not earn re-assessment for war service are given in the following table. The upper limit shown in each case assumes that the pensioner qualified for the maximum increase admissible under the pensions increase schemes of 1944, 1947 and of 1952.

Pre-war Pension Increases expressed as a percentage of pre-war pension up to a maximum of
Per cent.
£50 … … … 86
£100 … … … 66
£200 … … … 43
£300 … … … 29
£400 … … … 19
£600 … … … 7½*
Over £787 10s. … Nil
*This rate also constitutes a minimum being granted without a test of hardship.