HC Deb 05 August 1975 vol 897 c105W
Mr. Jim Spicer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what priority is being given to changes in Service widows' pensions which will take into account service before 1st September 1950.

Mr. Judd

Where there is an entitlement to pension, all service from the ages of 21 for officers and 18 for Service men is taken into account and is reflected in the widow's pension.

The hon. Member may, however, be concerned about certain widows who, because their husbands retired from the Armed Forces before 1st September 1950, do not receive a pension from the Ministry of Defence. I would refer him to the answer which I gave to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (Mr. Sandelson) on 22nd July.—[Vol. 896, c. 271–2.]