§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will review his policy with regard to the provision of pensions for all widows of service men, where their marriage took place after service in the forces;
(2) what consideration has been given to the provision of pensions for all widows of service men who fought in the second world war but married after leaving service.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonPension entitlements for service men and their widows are determined according to the terms applicable to the date on which service ends and, where appropriate, on the duration of that service.
The terms of the armed forces pension scheme include provision for a pension to be awarded to the eligible widow of a service man who marries after leaving service provided that some part of his service was given on or after 6 April 1978 and that he qualified for retired pay or pension.
There are no plans to change these arrangements.