59. Brigadier Clarkeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many naval widows have already received the increased pension rates under the Forces Family Pension Scheme; and how many widows eligible for the increase have not yet been informed of the benefits to which they are entitled.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasRevised pensions for 859 widows have been assessed, and 230 of them have started to draw the 35W new rates. About 2,100 have not yet been informed of their new rates, but it is expected that it will be possible to issue revised pension vouchers to them in the near future; in the case of all but about 360 this should be at the end of March.
63. Brigadier Clarkeasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress is being made in the payment of the pension increases granted to naval personnel in 1952; and how many pensioners have still not received the additional pension that is due to them.
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe 1952 pensions increase has been paid to 27,600 naval pensioners. The work of reviewing the circumstances of the remaining naval pensioners who might benefit is still proceeding; it is expected that about 6,700 of these will be eligible.