§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many war widows, widowed for a second time, divorced or legally separated(a) have had and (b) are waiting to have the pension restored to them; and what action he is taking to ensure that the restoration programme is being expeditiously implemented. [13578]
§ Mr. HealdThese are matters for Mr. Kevin Caldwell, the chief executive of the War Pensions Agency. He will write to the hon. Member.
Letter from K. C. Caldwell to Sir Dudley Smith, dated 13 February 1996:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about restored War Widows Pensions.As at 2 February 1996, 12,430 claims have been received of which 7,394 have been notified and had payment arranged. To date 85 have been rejected and 4,951 remain to be decided.We have created a special section, and have recently allocated and trained an additional 12 staff (making a total of 57) to ensure that by the end of March we will have notified all those from whom we now have claims of the results of their claims and, where appropriate, made arrangements for payment.I hope this is helpful.