§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost has been of administering the war pension scheme in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [44020]
§ Dr. MoonieThe cost of administering the War Pensions Scheme is published in the Annual Report and Accounts of the War Pensions Agency; copies of which are held in the Library.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the changes his Department is considering in the Review of Armed Forces Pension Scheme will require primary legislation to effect the changes required; what the timescale is for implementing the review; and if he will make a statement. [44018]
§ Mr. IngramThe Ministry of Defence legal advisers are currently considering whether extant legislation for the current Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS) could be amended or if primary legislation would be the most effective means of implementing a new scheme. The timescale for implementation is expected to be determined by factors such as the introduction of a new joint personnel administration system which would provide the IT framework for the pension scheme and for the closely associated systems for personnel data. This system is scheduled for introduction from late 2004 onwards, and we are hoping to introduce the new pension scheme around 2005–06, subject to IT and legislative requirements.