§ Mr. Banksasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the Forces Family Pension Scheme does not apply to naval reservists killed on active service.
§ Mr. DuffyA forces family pension is an occupational benefit of the Regular Service man and therefore inappropriate in peacetime for the reservist whose full-time occupation is elsewhere. Separate provision which reflects this difference is made under the Ministry of Defence Attributable Benefits for Reservists Scheme at rates which I gave in answer to the hon. Member for Upminster (Mr. Loveridge) on 26th October 1976—[Vol. 918, c.168–9.]. Families of reservist and Regular Service men receive the same rates of war widow's and dependent children's benefits from the Department of Health and Social Security.