§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the various conflicts from which war pensions currently paid originate, indicating the number of war widows and war pensioners at present in receipt of such pensions in each case.
§ Mr. RossiI have been asked to reply as this Department is responsible for awarding war pensions in respect of service in the 1914–18 war and since September 1939.
I am afraid that it is not possible to provide the information in the form requested. Although separate returns have been maintained for the First World War and for awards since 1939, and in respect of payments due to terrorist activities in Northern Ireland since 1969 and the recent conflict in the South Atlantic, our records do not otherwise distinguish between the various conflicts which have led to war pensions awards. The information is therefore as follows: 72W
War pensions in payment Disablement Widows 1914 war 18,300 12,300 Awards since 2 September 1939 *235,100 †60,800 Notes: * Including 217 war disablement pensioners resulting from terrorist activity in Northern Ireland. † Including 152 war widows' pensions resulting from terrorist activity in Northern Ireland, and a further 57 due to a husbands service in the South Atlantic.