HC Deb 12 July 1994 vol 246 cc569-70W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are currently in receipt of(a) war widows' pension or (b) war disablement pension.

Mr. Hague

On 30 June 1994 there were:

  1. (a) 49,272 war widows' pensions in payment; and
  2. (b) 250,315 war disablement pensions in payment.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has of the total cost of war widows' pension payments in(a) 1978–79, (b) 1983–84, (c) 1987–88, (d) 1992–93, (e) 1993–94 and (f) 1994–95.

Mr. Hague

Table A details actual expenditure in respect of war widows for the financial years 1978–79, 1983–84, 1987–88, and 1992–93

Table A
Financial year Amount (£ millions)
1978–79 117
1983–84 177
1987–88 190
1992–93 225

Total actual expenditure for 1993–94 is not yet available. Table B details the current estimate of expenditure in respect of war widows for that year and the estimate for 1994–95.

Table B
Financial year Amount (£ millions)
1993–94 237
1994–95 237