§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many veterans from(a) the Second World 410W War and (b) conflicts since 1945 are claiming (i) a war disablement pension, (ii) an armed forces pension and (iii) a war pension. [89471]
§ Dr. MoonieThe information requested is not available in the format required and it could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Entitlement to War Pension and Armed Forces Pension is not dependant upon service during a war/conflict.
As at 30 June 2002, there were 214,265 war pensions in payment in respect of veterans who have served since 1939, and there are currently 270,000 armed forces pensions in payment.
§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is in regard to back-dating a claimant's war pension entitlements; and how many claims his Department received in(a) 1997 and (b) 2002 from (i) veterans of the Second World War and (ii) veterans of conflicts since 1945. [89472]
§ Dr. MoonieThe policy for commencing dates of war disablement pension (for ex-service personnel) is incorporated into Schedule 3 to the Naval, Military and Air Forces etc. (Disablement and Death) Service Pensions Order 1983 (Statutory Instrument 1983 No. 883).
The normal rules are that a pension is commenced from the date of claim or application for review.
Statistics on claims to back-dating of war pensions are not kept by the Veterans Agency.