§ Mr. StanbrookTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the actual cost of public funds of the concession awarding war service credit to colonial service pensioners for the financial year 1989–90; and what is the estimated cost for 1990–91.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe additional cost of pensions attributable to the concession to grant credit for war service to colonial service pensioners was approximately £1.8 million in 1989–90 and is estimated at £3.3 million for 1990–91. Expenditure was lower in 1989–90 because a substantial number of those eligible chose to forgo the payment for the period April to December 1989 in exchange for an addition to their contingent widow's entitlement.