§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Pensions how many 1914–18 war pensioners are in receipt of alternative pensions; how many are totally disabled and partially disabled; and what is the estimated cost of granting marriage allowances.
§ Mr. Wilfred PalingAlternative pensions are in payment in just over 1,000 disablement cases of the 1914–18 war; approximately 550 of the recipients are38W totally disabled and nearly 500 partially disabled. An alternative pension is an inclusive award which, when more favourable, replaces the standard disablement pension and allowances.
As regards the second part of the Question, this does riot arise since, by the very nature of the Alternative Pensions Scheme, family allowances are not payable. It is always open to a pensioner who is receiving an alternative pension to change over to a standard pension with allowances for his wife and children if this would he more beneficial to him.