HC Deb 14 December 1994 vol 251 cc669-70W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the recent United States Senate Committee for Veteran Affairs' report on Desert Storm syndrome; and if he will make a statement.

Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 Column 7 Column 8 Column 9
Total number of men in receipt of state pension Total number of women in receipt of state pension Column 1 + column 2 Number of men aged 65 and over in receipt of basic retirement pension (based on own contributions) at less than standard rate Number of women aged 65 and over in receipt of basic retirement pension (based on own contributions) at less than standard rate Column 4 as a percentage of column 1 Column 5 as a percentage of column 2 Column 4 as a percentage of column 3 Column 5 as a percentage of column 3
3,310,060 6,285,590 9,595,650 172,310 334,890 5.21 5.33 1.80 3.49

Notes:

1. Figures are for 31 March 1994, the latest date in respect of which information is available, for persons resident in Great Britain.

2. "State retirement pension" means a contributory retirement pension, a non-contributory retirement pension or graduated retirement benefit.

3. Figure at column 2 includes women aged 60–64.

Mrs. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average state earnings-related pensions scheme pension for(a) women aged 60 to 64 years and (b) men aged 65 to 69 years in the latest available year.

Mr. Arbuthnot

At 31 March 1994, the latest date in respect of which information is available, the average rate of additional pension payable as a component of retirement pension was:

Mr. Soames

My Department is aware of a report dated 8 November 1994, written by the majority staff of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, entitled "Is Military Research Hazardous to Veterans' Health? Lessons Spanning Half a Century". As with all material relating to the alleged Desert Storm syndrome, my Department will be reviewing the scientific and medical basis for the report and evaluating the relevance of it, if any, to our own investigations into the claimed Gulf war-related illnesses among UK armed forces personnel.