HC Deb 05 April 1995 vol 257 cc1229-30W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the annual cost of paying war widows a pension for life regardless of their marital status and other income or savings. [18155]

Mr. Arbuthnot

It is estimated that the additional gross cost would be about £220 million in a full year. That estimate does not take into account savings in other benefits which would normally be offset against the war widow's pension.