War Widows (Hansard, 3 May 1994)

§ Mr. Alfred Morris
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he or any of his ministerial colleagues have had from the War Widows' Assocation of Great Britain in regard to pensions paid to the widows of New Zealand service men; what reply was given; what action he will be taking; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hague
On 12 April, my noble Friend Lord Astor met a deputation from the War Widows Association of Great Britain. One of the subjects discussed was the level of war widows pension paid by the New Zealand Government to the widows of New Zealand service men. The association is seeking supplementation of the New Zealand pension to bring it up to the preferential level of pension awarded to United Kingdom war widows. The matter is under consideration.

§ Mr. Alfred Morris
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out in pound sterling terms the pensions paid to war widows in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) Australia, (c) Canada, (d) Japan, (e) France and (f) Germany.

§ Mr. Hague
Comparisons of war widows pensions are complicated as the total pension may depend on factors such as the age of the widow, the rank of the deceased ex-service man, his level of disablement or earnings potential and whether means-testing applies.
A summary of the information available is as follows —in the main, 1993 rates apply. Rates have been converted into sterling taking account of cost-of-living differences:—

Country Weekly pension

United Kingdom The basic weekly pension is £72.90. In addition most widows receive an age addition, and a special payment of £47.84 a week from the Ministry of Defence. A war widow aged 70 would receive a tax free weekly war widows pension totalling £136.84.

Australia The weekly pension is £79.27. In addition a domestic allowance of £5.66 is payable. The total weekly pension is £84.93.

Canada The maximum weekly pension is £138.43 (a lower pension would be received if the late husband's disability was assessed as less than 48 per cent.)

Japan The basic weekly pension is £118.97.

France The basic weekly pension is £67.99.

Germany The weekly pension is £43.45. In addition, allowances may be received in respect of loss of earnings (maximum 1992 rate was £82.29), standard of living (maximum 1992 rate was £46.58 week) and for attendance (maximum 1992 rate was £19.26 week). The first two allowances are means-tested.

Country	Weekly pension
United Kingdom	The basic weekly pension is £72.90. In addition most widows receive an age addition, and a special payment of £47.84 a week from the Ministry of Defence. A war widow aged 70 would receive a tax free weekly war widows pension totalling £136.84.
Australia	The weekly pension is £79.27. In addition a domestic allowance of £5.66 is payable. The total weekly pension is £84.93.
Canada	The maximum weekly pension is £138.43 (a lower pension would be received if the late husband's disability was assessed as less than 48 per cent.)
Japan	The basic weekly pension is £118.97.
France	The basic weekly pension is £67.99.
Germany	The weekly pension is £43.45. In addition, allowances may be received in respect of loss of earnings (maximum 1992 rate was £82.29), standard of living (maximum 1992 rate was £46.58 week) and for attendance (maximum 1992 rate was £19.26 week). The first two allowances are means-tested.