§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) why he proposes to remove the eligibility of ex-servicemen for lump sum compensation claims for hearing loss of less than 20 per cent. caused during their military service;
(2) if he will publicise the proposed abolition of the eligibility of ex-servicemen for lump sum compensation claims for hearing loss of less than 20 per cent. caused during their military service.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe introduction of a 20 per cent. disablement threshold for claims for noise induced hearing loss brings the war pension rules more into line with those for claims for occupational deafness under the industrial injuries scheme. The proposals form part of a package, the other element of which is the removal, from April 1993, of rank differentials in war disablement pensions; almost 200,000 war disablement pensioners will gain up to £5 a week as a result. The decision was announced in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Harlow (Mr. Hayes) on 17 December 1992 at columns369–70, and publicised through a press release and letter to members of the central advisory committee on war pensions the same day.