§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the amount at present payable into the estate of an unmarried member of Her Majesty's Forces whose death is attributable to accident whilst on duty.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe sum of £254.67 is at present payable into the estate of a single reservist whose death is attributable to service and occurs in the course of peace time exercises or training From 1st December 1975 the figure will be £321.14. The position of a Regular soldier is different. I would be glad to explain how if the hon. Gentleman wishes.
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§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what sums of money are due as a right to the next of kin of each of the 10 Territorial soldiers drowned during an exercise in September 1975, being compensation in lieu of any State insurance benefit; and if there will be any sums payable ex gratia in addition.
§ Mr. William RodgersUnder the Attributable Benefits for Reservists Scheme—[Vol. 883, c.378–9]—the widow of a TAVR member, whose death is attributable to service, currently receives a pension of £382 a year from the Ministry of Defence and a further £127 a year for each of up to four dependent children. These rates will be increased to £481 and £160 respectively with effect from 1st December 1975. In addition, she will receive a war widow's pension payable by the Department of Health and Social Security which is also subject to increase in respect of dependent children. Where an unmarried TAVR member is killed in similar circumstances, a gratuity of £254 is paid to his estate from Defence Votes.
The awards outlined above will be paid in respect of the 10 TAVR soldiers drowned on the night of 28th September 1975 during an exercise on the River Trent. In the case of both pensions and gratuities, the awards are regulational and no further ex gratia payments will be made. It is not the custom of my Department to disclose details of individual awards without the agreement of the pensioner.