§ Mr. Crowtherasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is (a) the highest and (b) the lowest amount so far received by any widow from the south Atlantic fund; and what were, respectively, the ranks of the deceased husbands.
§ Mr. StanleyThe range of charitable awards to widows so far made by the south Atlantic fund is from £70,000 to £30,000, with an average payment of £38,000. Within this range there is a wide spread of payments, which is not directly related to rank.
§ Mr. Crowtherasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement describing in detail the criteria by which the trustees of the south Atlantic fund assess the needs of widows in order to determine the amounts they should receive above the £10,000 interim payment.
§ Mr. StanleyThe aim of the trustees of the south Atlantic fund is to ensure within the assets of the fund that people can lead, as far as it is possible in financial terms, as good a life as they could have expected had the Falklands conflict not taken place. As a charitable trust, the fund cannot make payments over and above those appropriate to need.
The basic consideration in the assessment of the needs of widows is that some have suffered a greater financial loss as a result of their husband's death than others. The assessment of need is based on experience gained in Northern Ireland. It takes account of state pensions and benefits, but not of personal assets or personal insurance and other similar personal provision. In considering grants to widows the trustees have had to bear in mind the long-term needs of those men who suffered injury.