§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the total additional cost to public funds if pensions paid to people in respect of the death or disablement of a service man on active service prior to 1973 were to be increased to the same rate as pensions paid in respect of a death or disability occurring since 1973.
§ Mr. NewtonThe rates of pensions payable under the war pensions scheme in respect of death or disablement arising from service in the armed forces are the same irrespective of whether the death or disability occurred prior to or since 1973. Questions relating to the occupational pensions scheme for the armed forces are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.
§ Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people were in receipt of pensions in respect of the death or disablement of a service man on active service prior to 1973 on 1 September.
§ Mr. NewtonThere were about 293,000 war pensions in payment at 1 September 1983. A very substantial majority of these were in respect of death or disablement due to service prior to 1973 but the precise figures are riot known.