§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of recipients of war disablement pension and its current level; to what level it would have to be increased in order to bring it into line with the rise in prices and what would be the cost of such an increase; and when last it was increased.
§ Mr. PrenticeAt the end of September 1979—the latest available date—there were 278,450 war disablement pensioners. The current rate of disablement pension for a 100 per cent. disabled ex-private is £38 per week. The pension was raised to this level on 12 November: the Government are committed to an 661W annual review of the principal war pensions and allowances and, as a minimum, to maintaining their purchasing power.