HC Deb 13 March 1973 vol 852 cc320-2W
Mr. Loveridge

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many war widows of soldiers killed in Northern Ireland are receiving pensions from his Department; and what proportion this is of all those soldiers killed who left widows;

(2) if he will list the amounts of pension being paid in each case to each war widow of soldiers killed whilst serving in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Dean

Up to 1st March 1973, 94 married Servicemen, including 21 members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, had been killed in Northern Ireland as a result of terrorist activity. The widows of 92 of these men are currently receiving war widows' pensions from my Department.

The rate of war widow's pension varies according to the widow's age, her late husband's rank, the number of her children and her entitlement to rent and education allowances. The weekly rate of pension-weekly equivalent of the annual rate for officers' widows-being paid to each widow is listed below. Unless otherwise indicated each rate refers to one individual case:

£ p £ p
10 at 2.03* 17.95
3 at 2.08* 18.30
3 at 2.13* 18.31
2.88* 2 at 18.34
3.50 18.45
2 at 8.80 18.60
10.26 18.65
3 at 12.30 2 at 18.70
4 at 12.40 18.75
3 at 12.60 19.05
12.65 19.74
13.40 20.40
2 at 14.80 20.54
14.92 21.30
14.99 2 at 21.45
15.35 21.49
3 at 15.60 21.50
15.65 2 at 21.70
15.66 21.80
3 at 15.70 23.14
4 at 15.75 23.63
2 at 15.80 2 at 23.92
16.90 24.29
16.94 2 at 24.85
17.36 27.60
17.43 30.70
17.60 30.75
17.92 31.07
*Childless widows under 40, who will qualify for full rate pensions on reaching the age of 40.

Mr. Loveridge

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many dependants' pensions are being paid by his Department to dependants of soldiers killed serving in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Dean

One such pension is in payment. In addition, allowances in respect of 157 children are being paid as part of war pensions awarded to the widows of soldiers killed in Northern Ireland.