HC Deb 15 April 1985 vol 77 cc65-6W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether all service records held on computers for the purpose of pension calculation are now accurate.

Mr. Lee

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all service records. There is no evidence of any general defect in the systems in use.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what errors have been identified resulting from the computerising of Royal Navy and Royal Marine personal records which have led to wrong awards being made to pensioners when reaching the age of 55 years; what steps he is taking to remedy the situation for future pensioners in all services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

Sixteen cases have been identified where Royal Navy ratings and Royal Marine other ranks have reached age 55 and the wrong increase has been paid. Of these seven were underpayments. Pensioners in all these cases are not receiving the correct award and arrears of pension have been paid. Steps have been taken to ensure that similar errors do not recur. The errors arose mainly from wrong information being passed to the Paymaster General's office. They did not arise from the computerisation of personal records as such.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what errors have been identified in the awarding of Royal Air Force and Army pensions since personal records have been computerised; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lee

There is no evidence of error in the awarding of RAF and Army pensions arising from the computerisation of personal records.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that following the decision to transfer Royal Navy and Royal Marine pensions from the Director General of Defence Accounts, Worcester, to HMS Centurion, no action will be taken to transfer the work and personal files until all individual pension rights have been checked.

Mr. Lee

No. The transfer of responsibility will proceed as planned. Appropriate arrangements will be made at the time for any checking that remains to be done.