HC Deb 05 March 2001 vol 364 cc73-4W
Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to allow those who are 15 per cent. disabled to be eligible for a war pension. [151685]

Mr. Bayley

Where service disablement is assessed at 20 per cent. or more, the War Pensions Agency pays an on-going pension based on a weekly or annual rate. Where the assessment is less than 20 per cent. a war pension is paid as a lump sum gratuity.

Dr. Tonge

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to spend more money on processing claims for war pensioners; and if he will make a statement. [151686]

Mr. Bayley

The War Pensions Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Social Security and as such remains subject to gross expenditure control under the Parliamentary Vote system.

The agency expects to meet all targets in its current business plan relating to claims and appeals processing for 2000–01. It is confident of receiving sufficient funding for 2001–02 to deliver further improved performance and to continue to reduce the total number of cases in action at the agency.