War Pensions (Hansard, 17 December 1996)

§ Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) in what circumstances individuals may claim a war pension; and if he will make a statement; [8205]
531W
(2) how many people are currently (a) claiming and (b) entitled to claim a war pension; and if he will make a statement. [8204]

§ Mr. Heald
In October 1996, the latest month for which figures are available, the War Pensions Agency received a total of 3,300 new claims for war disablement and war widows pensions. At 31 October 1996, 326,716 War Pensions were in payment. A war disablement pension may be claimed by any former member of the armed forces who considers that disablement may be due to an injury attributable to, or aggravated by, service. A war widow's pension may be awarded where the late husband's death was due to, or hastened by, service. Similar schemes exist in respect of disablement or death sustained outside the armed forces as a result of enemy action during the second world war, for example, by members of the merchant navy.

§ Ms Harman
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new claims for war pensions were made in each of the last five years by people aged over 65 years. [8662]

§ Mr. Heald
The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

§ Ms Harman
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will place in the Library a copy of the medical evidence in relation to hearing loss of war pensioners which was presented to the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions. [8719]

§ Mr. Heald
I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Davyhulme (Mr. Churchill) on 12 December,Official Report, column 360.

§ Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) men and (b) women are currently in receipt of a war pension in the age categories (i) 20 to 30 years, (ii) 30 to 40 years, (iii) 40 to 50 years, (iv) 50 to 60 years, (v) 60 to 70 years, (vi) 70 to 80 years and (vii) over 80 years; and if he will make statement. [9446]

§ Mr. Heald
The information is not available in the format requested and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
However, information regarding the number of people in receipt of a war disablement or war widow's pension at 30 November 1996, the most recent date for which information is available, by age is in the table.

Age band Disabled Widows

Under 21 76 2

21–30 3,986 81

31–40 8,801 467

41–50 13,676 858

51–59 23,457 1,649

60–64 22,827 1,802

65–69 26,074 3,821

70–80 136,799 29,891

81–90 30,482 18,886

91–100 984 2,162

Over 100 38 50

Age band	Disabled	Widows
Under 21	76	2
21–30	3,986	81
31–40	8,801	467
41–50	13,676	858
51–59	23,457	1,649
60–64	22,827	1,802
65–69	26,074	3,821
70–80	136,799	29,891
81–90	30,482	18,886
91–100	984	2,162
Over 100	38	50