§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he intends to take to publicise the services of War Pensioners Welfare staff to service men and relatives of service men currently on active service.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonArrangements exist within the armed forces to help serving personnel, or their families, where there is a need for welfare assistance or guidance. In the event that casualties arise as the result of active service, those responsible for service welfare will provide any initial help needed and will put personnel or their families in touch with other organisations as appropriate to the circumstances. The War Pensioners Welfare Service, which is administered by the Department of Social Security, is among those organisations.
In these circumstances I do not believe it necessary or appropriate to particularly publicise the services of the War Pensions Welfare Service.
§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the staffing levels of War Pensioners Welfare; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeI have been asked to reply.
The staffing levels of the War Pensioners Welfare Service were examined last year in the course of a management inspection of the service. The inspection team's report recommended no changes in the number of chief welfare officers and welfare officers, but recommended some reductions in the number of support staff and the withdrawal of the homecraft service. The recommendations are being considered, but no decisions have yet been taken. The central advisory committee on war pensioners is being consulted about them and has agreed that a joint 68W working party on which war pensioners' interests will be represented, should be set up to review the aims and future of the homecraft service. Any effects of the Gulf conflict on the work of the service will be fully taken into account and we shall certainly not agree to anything that would harm the interests of war widows and war pensioners.