§ Mr. DoverTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement about the level of resources allocated to the payment of war widows' pensions. [2832]
§ Mr. HealdThese are matters for Mr. John Sheppard, the acting chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Sheppard to Mr. Den Dover, dated 28 November 1995:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the level of resources allocated to the payment of War Widows Pensions.As at 27 November, a total of 98 staff are employed on dealing with all aspects of war widows claims. Included in this figure are 45 members of staff dealing with the restoration of War Widows Pension under the Pensions Act, which came into effect on 19 July 1995. Agency expenditure in this financial year for all the above is expected to be £780,000.I hope you find my reply helpful.