HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc425-6W
Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many former prisoners of war currently benefit from the Hong Kong War Memorial Pension Scheme. [93831]

Mr. Battle

As at 31 August 1999, there were 661 pensioners under the Hong Kong War Memorial Pension Scheme, of which 467 were single widowed persons and 194 were married. None of these are British ex-servicemen. No distinction is made between those who were prisoners of war and others who qualify under the scheme.

Mr. Oaten

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution was made by the Government to the Hong Kong War Memorial Pension Scheme in 1991. [93830]

Mr. Battle

Under Section 5 of the Hong Kong War Memorial Pensions Ordinance of 1991, pensions were paid from the general revenue of the then Hong Kong Government. They are now paid by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.