Disablement Pension (Hansard, 18 January 1990)

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to increasing the pre-1973 war disabled pension.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
War disablement pensions are paid under the war pensions scheme administered by the Department of Social Security. The rates payable do not differentiate between disabilities originating before, or after, 1973. Pensions may also be payable, under the provisions of the occupational scheme for members of the armed forces, to those who are eligible. The rules of eligibility and the basis for calculating the latter awards were changed with effect from 31 March 1973, but it has not been considered possible to extend those changes retrospectively to include those whose service ended before that date.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual cost of the provision of pensions for pre-1973 war disabled.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Figures of expenditure on pensions payable under the armed forces pension scheme to those with a disability attributed to service are not separately maintained.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what would be the total annual cost of increasing pensions by £40 a week for pre-1973 war disabled.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
The annual cost of making a payment of £40 per week to all those currently receiving a DSS war disablement pension would be approximately £400 million. Separate figures are not available for those whose service ended before 31 March 1973.