HC Deb 12 November 1979 vol 973 cc427-8W
Mr. Dixon

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether Service personnel qualify for prescribed diseases, P.D.25, payments; or whether separate military arrangements exist.

Mr. Hayhoe

Members of the Forces do not qualify for any payments under the industrial injuries legislation. Instead, they are covered by the war pensions scheme which, since 3 September 1939, has been administered by the Department of Health and Social Security. The war pensions scheme covers any disease contracted by a member of the Forces, whether in peacetime or in war, which is accepted as being attributable to, or aggravated by, service in Her Majesty's Forces and provides for a pension or gratuity related to degree of disability If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I would be glad if he would write about it either to me, or if the disease was contracted after 2 September 1939. to my right hon. Friend, the Minister for Social Security.