§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans he has to meet representatives of widowers' groups to discuss issues affecting widowers' pensions; [117120]
(2) what recent representations he has received on the granting of back-payments of widowers' pensions. [118777]
§ Mr. PondThere are still a number of cases before both the European Court of Human Rights and the domestic courts involving widowers. The UK is defending on a number of aspects of these cases and their outcome will inevitably affect the Government's decisions in dealing with all the widowers affected. We cannot say when all the judgments are going to be available, nor can we speculate about the outcomes. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate to meet individuals or groups potentially affected by the litigation.
We have received a number of representations about the April 2001 reform of support in bereavement and the action taken in the Courts by some individuals. We have replied to all these representations.