Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on War Pensions – 8 July 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on War Pensions on 8th July 1986.

Mr. Ashley Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what way, and for how long, the war pensions are affected of a person in receipt of (a) a war disability and (b) war retirement pension, who is sent to prison.

Mr. Major Payments of war disablement pension are normally suspended during imprisonment following conviction. If the war pensioner is married, half the basic pension plus the dependency allowance is normally paid to his wife. On release the pension is usually restored and arrears of one year’s basic pension (or arrears for the period of imprisonment if less than a year) are paid, less any amount paid to his wife during the arrears period.

I assume that by “war retirement pension” the right hon. Member has in mind service pensions and service retired pay. These are not part of the war pensions provisions, but are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. I understand that his normal practice is to allow pensioners to retain these pensions during imprisonment.