HC Deb 12 June 1978 vol 951 c330W
Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many war widows there are from the period of (a) World War I and (b) World War II; and what is the total of all war widows.

Mr. Orme

The information requested is given below.

War Widows Pensions in Payment at 31st March 1978
1914 War: 18,800
1939 War: 63,900
Total 82,700

Note:

1914 war figures include former wars: 1939 war figures include those awarded in respect of subsequent service.

Mr. Wm. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the value of a war widow's pension for each rank in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, as at 1st April 1950, 1st April 1960, 1st April 1970, and 1st April 1978; and show for comparison the cost of living index at those dates, taking the index and the value of the £ sterling as 100 at 1st April 1950, and assuming that the widow in each case had two children of 11 years and 7 years of age.

Mr. Orme

I will let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.