HC Deb 14 March 1996 vol 273 cc759-60W
Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what discretion Ministers have on the payment of allowance for lowered standard of occupation in individual cases. [20037]

Mr. Heald

Article 21 of the Naval, Military and Air Forces etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 1983 provides that the allowance for lowered standard of occupation may be awarded to ex-service men and women who, because of the effects of their war pensioned disablement, are incapable, and likely to remain permanently incapable, of following their regular occupation and any other occupation which is of an equivalent standard and suitable for them. The Secretary of State will pay the allowance where he is satisfied that those conditions are met.