§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the amount paid annually in war widows pensions(a) on average to each war widow and (b) in total to all recipients living in Scotland. [81276]
§ Mr. BayleyQuestions on operational matters concerning the War Pensions Agency are for the Chief Executive, Mr. Gordon Hextall. I have asked him to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Peter Hulme to Mrs. Maria Fyfe dated 23 April 1999:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked Gordon Hextall to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the average amount paid annually in War Widows Pensions to each War Widow and the total amount paid to all recipients living in Scotland. Gordon Hextall is overseas at the moment and has therefore asked me to reply on his behalf.I have use the most up to date figures available. Regarding the average annual payment made to a War Widow in the UK, the latest figures relate to August 1998, when the average amount paid was £8,261.14. Regarding the number of War Widows living in Scotland, the latest figures relate to March 1998 when there were an estimated 4,564 War Widows resident in Scotland. Therefore, the estimated amount paid to all recipients of War Widows Pension in Scotland is £37,703,842.I hope this is helpful and if you need any further information, I will be happy to assist.