HC Deb 03 June 1998 vol 313 cc252-3W
Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have been made to the granting of compensation to war pensioners suffering from hearing difficulties since October 1996; and what plans she has for further changes. [43917]

Mr. Denham

There have been no changes to war pensions legislation on hearing loss since January 1993. The approach to the assessment of service related noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss for war pensions purposes has, however, been changed to bring it in line with the current scientific understanding of the subject. This change in approach took place in December 1996 and was based on the current understanding that the combination of sensorineural hearing losses due to noise and age are not more than additive. Claims were previously assessed on the basis that losses due to noise were more than additive, which resulted in assessments for service related noise-induced sensorineural hearing loss being increased with time to reflect the supposed interaction with age related hearing loss.

The current understanding has been confirmed by independent experts who reviewed the scientific evidence at the request of my noble Friend, the Baroness Hollis of Heigham. The review team also recommended that the matter be reviewed again in a year. My noble Friend has therefore asked the medical policy adviser to review the position and report to her in February 1999.

Mrs. Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes have been made to rent allowances for war pensioners since October 1996; and what plans she has for further changes. [43916]

Mr. Denham

No changes have been made to this allowance since October 1996 apart from the uprating in line with the annual increase in the retail price index from April 1997 and April 1998. There are no plans for any changes to this allowance.

Under the War Pensions Scheme, a rent allowance may be payable in respect of the death of a member of the armed forces to a widow, widower or unmarried dependant who lived as the spouse of the member.