§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether pensions are paid to widows of Service men in Northern Ireland against the acting rank of the Service man at the time of his death; and if he will consider making all war pensions payable against acting rank.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownA Service widow's pension under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme is normally related to the substantive rank which her husband held at the time of his death. The place of death or injury is irrelevant.
Temporary or acting rank can in certain circumstances be reflected in the rates of pension but only if the temporrary or acting rank has been held for a period of at least one year. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I would, of course, be happy to consider it.
War pensions, as distinct from pensions under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme, are the concern of the Department of Health and Social Security.