HC Deb 28 June 1995 vol 262 c738W
Sir George Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the predicted cost to public funds of the decision to award a war widow's pension to those who have since remarried and whose second husband is still alive. [31029]

Mr. Burt

The war widow's pension is withdrawn on re-marriage. Our intention is to restore the pension where the marriage has terminated as a result of the death of the husband, dissolution or annulment or when the parties have been judicially separated. The net cost is estimated at about £45 million in a full year.

To award a war widow's pension to all those former war widows whose second, or subsequent, husband is still alive would cost an additional estimated £60 million in a full year.

Sir George Gardiner

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the predicted cost to public funds of the decision to award a war widow's pension to those who have since remarried but have been widowed again or are divorced. [31028]

Mr. Hague

The net full-year estimated cost is about £45 million.