HC Deb 01 March 2001 vol 363 cc748-9W
Mr. Waterson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many widows and widowers will lose benefits due to the receipt of compensation payable to former Japanese prisoners of war and their families. [151294]

Mr. Bayley

No widow or widower of a former Japanese prisoner of war should lose benefit as a result of their or their late partner's receipt of this special payment. The Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Benefit Regulations were amended from 1 February 2001 to ensure the payments are disregarded in the calculation of benefit entitlement.