HC Deb 01 March 1988 vol 128 c499W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to review Government policy on the withholding from pre-1973 war widows of the enhanced pension benefits paid to post-1973 war widows.

Mr. Freeman

When improvements were introduced into the armed forces occupational pension scheme in 1973 it was recognised that in view of the very great costs which would have been involved, and in accordance with normal superannuation practice, the new provisions could not be given retrospective effect. That remains the position.

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