HC Deb 16 December 1966 vol 738 cc174-6W
Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of increasing the pensions of widows of Armed Forces pensioners from one-third of the husband's pension to one-half.

Mr. Dean

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of paying pensions to Service widows at the rate of one-half instead of one-third of their husband's retired pay.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

About £1.8 million.

Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of providing widows' pensions for widows of Armed Forces pensioners who marry after retirement or discharge.

Mr. Dean

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of paying pensions to widows who married members of the Armed Forces after their husband's retirement.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

The Services do not necessarily know all the details of such cases and the cost cannot therefore be calculated.

Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of continuing to pay widow's pension to widows of Armed Forces pensioners who remarry.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

I regret that this information is not available. We could not pay widows' pensions to those who have remarried.

Mr. Kershaw

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of fully restoring to widows who are widowed a second time of Armed Forces pensioners the pension which she forfeited on her remarriage.

Mr. Dean

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of paying their original pensions without a means test to service widows who have remarried and been widowed again.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

I regret that this information is not available.

Mr. Kershaws

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the increase necessary in Service pay fully to provide for a contributory widow's pension of one-half of the Armed Forces pensioners' pension.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

No such scheme has been devised and therefore the cost cannot be given. I would not necessarily accept that such a scheme would call for an increase in the pay of officers and men.

Mr. Dean

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the cost of paying pensions to Service widows whose husbands retired on pre-1956 codes at the rates they would be receiving had their husbands retired on the 1956 code.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

About £400,000 per annum.