HC Deb 03 August 1972 vol 842 c173W
44. Mr. Boscawen

asked the Minister of State for Defence what would be the total annual cost and net cost after allowing for reduction in supplementary benefit, of paying pensions to the widows of Service men below the rank of warrant officer Class I who died or were discharged to pension before 1st September, 1950.

Mr. Kirk

We estimate that the cost of paying occupational pensions to the widows of Servicemen below the rank of warrant officer Class I who died or were discharged to pension before 1st September, 1950, would be of the order of £4 million a year. It is not possible to estimate the extent to which payment of supplementary benefits might be reduced if such pensions were paid.