§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations his Department has received about the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's announcement of 12 November about the introduction of a threshold for noise-induced hearing impairment into the war pension scheme; what replies have been sent; what action is being taken; what 681W consultation there was prior to the press announcement with the Royal British Legion and other ex-service organisations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeConsultation over the package of proposals, involving a threshold for noise induced hearing loss and an increase in war disablement pensions, commenced after the announcement of 12 November 1992. Since then, several letters have been received from representatives of the ex-service organisations. Full and careful account has been taken of the comments made in those letters, and of the comments made on 3 December during discussions of the proposals at the meeting of the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions. As announced in my reply of 17 December 1992,Official Report, column 369–70, after full consideration, we have concluded that they are in the best interests of war pensioners and are proceeding with them. My noble Friend Lord Henley has written to members of the central advisory committee and others representing the interests of war pensioners, advising them of our decision.