§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many widows have received pensions under the special provisions for pre-1950 widows; and how much has been expended on these pensions in total. [4869]
§ Mr. SoamesInformation on the number of former pensioners and total costs of the pensions paid to them is not available.
§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many widows are currently receiving a pre-1950 widow's pension; and at what rates these are currently being paid. [4870]
§ Mr. SoamesThe number of widows currently receiving a pre-1950 widow's pension could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
The current rates of special widow's pension, dependent on rank of the service man, are £12.39 to £22.19 a week. The pension is subject to the same index-linking arrangements as other public service pensions.