HC Deb 08 November 1983 vol 48 cc110-1W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Prime Minister if she will publish figures comparing the gross weekly pensions payable by the Ministry of Defence and by the Department of Health and Social Security to the widows of (a) private soldiers, (b) sergeants and (c) captains, whose husbands were killed in action or on active service (i) during the 1914–18 war, (ii) during the 1939–45 war, (iii) in Northern Ireland since 1970 and (iv) in the Falklands in 1982.

The Prime Minister

The gross weekly rates of pension currently paid by the Ministry of Defence and by the Department of Health and Social Security are as follows. These rates will be increased by 3.7 per cent. from 21 November 1983.

with examples for each Army rank, showing the additions payable for dependent children, and also whether or not the different amounts are reckonable for income tax.

The Prime Minister

The rates of pension for each Army rank payable from 21 November to war widows where the husbands' death is presumed to be 1 January 1983 are:

£ per week
Forces family pensions paid by MOD* War pensions paid by DHSS†
Widow Children (per child— maximum of four) Widow under 40 and with no children Widow over 40 or with children Children (per child— no maximum)
£ £ £ £ £
Private 44.76 12.02 10.22 44.25 10.95
Corporal 58.84 15.15 10.22 44.25 10.95
Sergeant 65.79 16.69 10.22 44.25 10.95
Staff Sergeant 75.95 18.95 10.22 44.25 10.95
Warrant Officer II 78.45 19.50 10.22 44.25 10.95
Warrant Officer I 87.23 21.42 10.22 44.25 10.95
Captain and below 96.87 23.60 10.22 44.25 10.95
Major 118.55 28.42 10.22 44.25 10.95
Lieutenant Colonel 149.97 35.40 10.22 44.25 10.95
Colonel 175.87 41.15 10.22 44.25 10.95
Brigadier 191.33 44.59 10.22 44.25 10.95
Major General 211.18 49.00 10.22 44.25 10.95
Lieutenant General 257.46 59.28 10.22 44.25 10.95
General 323.63 73.99 10.22 44.25 10.95
Field Marshall 361.12 82.37 10.22 44.25 10.95
* Liable to income tax.
† Tax free.

The April 1983 pensions rates for senior officers have yet to be promulgated. The above rates are therefore April 1982 rates, uplifted by the appropriate pensions increases for November 1982 and 1983.