§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for 1 Social Security (1) if he will set out his reasons for and the intended effect of his proposal to change the war pensions scheme by amending the Service Pensions Order to exclude diseases caused by the use or effects of tobacco, or the consumption of alcohol, from the definition of injury in schedule 4 to the order; what representations his Department has received from the Royal British Legion about the proposal; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what responses he has had from members of the central advisory committee on war pensions to his proposal to change the war pensions scheme by amending the Service Pensions Order to exclude diseases caused by the use or effects of tobacco, or the consumption of alcohol, from the definition of injury in schedule 4 to the order.
§ Mr. HagueThe war pensions scheme provides compensation for disablement or death suffered as a result of service in the Armed Forces. The long-standing policy of successive Governments has been that the decision to smoke or drink is a personal one, and that smoking and the consumption of alcohol should be regarded as attributable to service in the Armed Forces only where a severely disabling mental condition itself attributable to service renders the individual incapable of exercising personal choice.
The proposed amendments follow a recent decision in the High Court and would ensure that the legislation reflects the policy intention.
Nineteen representations from members of the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions, including three from representatives of the Royal British Legion, have been received.
Careful consideration is being given to all the representations, which have been both for and against the proposed change. Members of the committee will be advised when a decision has been reached.
841W