§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the figures for total expenditure by his Department on war disablement pensions in each of the years 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81 and 1981–82, together with his estimate for 1982–83; and if he will give the figures in each case at 1978–79 prices.
§ Mr. RossiThe information is as follows:
133W
Expenditure on war disablement Pensions Year Cash £ million At 1978–79 prices 1978–79 221 221 1979–80 243 210 1980–81 275 204 1981–82 309 206 1982–83 330 Not available These figures reflect a reduction in the number of pensioners due to death each year and not to a reduction in the value of war pensions.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how the total expenditure by his Department on war disablement pensions compares now, in real terms, with what was spent in the year 1978–79.
§ Mr. RossiThe information requested is as follows:
Expenditure on war disablement pensions Year Cash £ million At 1978–79 prices 1978–79 221 221 1981–82 309 206 1982–83 330 Not available These figures reflect a reduction in the number of pensioners due to death each year and not to a reduction in the value of war pensions.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is his intention to exclude war disablement benefits from the clawback announced on 8 November.
§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will exclude war disablement benefits from the clawback foreshadowed in his statement to the House on 8 November.
§ Mr. RossiAs has been made clear to the House, decisions on what the 1983 uprating of benefits should be will be taken as usual at the time of the Budget.