War Pensions (Hansard, 26 November 1979)

§ Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the overall compensation paid through the war pensions scheme and the Ministry of Defence arrangements to (a) to private soldier with one year's service, invalided with a 60 per cent. attributable disablement arising from service in the 1939–45 War, (b) a private soldier with one year's service invalided with a 60 per cent. attributable disablement arising from service in Northern Ireland during the period November 1969 to 31 March 1973, (c) a private soldier with one year's service invalided with a 60 per cent. attributable disablement arising from service after 31 March 1973, (d) the widow of a private soldier killed in service or who dies of disablement attributable to the 1939–45 War, (e) the widow of a private soldier killed or who dies of disablement attributable to service in Northern Ireland between November 1969 and 31 March 1973 and (f) the widow of a private soldier killed or who dies of disablement 470W attributable to service after 31 March 1973;

(2) what is the number of surviving war widows of the 1914–18 war; what is their average age; and, in view of the present level of war widow's preference of £6.90 a week, what proposals he has to improve their position;

(3) what is the present annual cost of the age allowance payable at age 65 to those war pensioners assessed for disablement at 40 per cent. or more;

(4) whether, in view of the unique circumstances and sacrifice of limbless and severely disabled veterans of the 1914–18 war, and the special debt owed to them by the nation, he will now substantially increase the age allowance payable to war pensioners at age 65 years assessed at 40 per cent. or more disablement;

(5) how many disabled ex-Service men and women and widows are receiving ex-gratia payments in respect of disablement or widowhood attributable to service in Northern Ireland during the period November 1969 to 31 March 1973; and what is the annual value of these ex-gratia payments in individual cases;

(6) what is the current weekly difference in cash terms of the standard rate of war widows' pension and the national insurance widows' pension which might otherwise be payable in an individual case.