Written question asked by Lord Addington (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Bolton (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 December 2007.

Armed Forces: War Pensions

Question: asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the replies by Lord Drayson on 19 June (Official Report, cols. 87–8) and 11 October (Official Report, cols. 341–3), what was the role of the Minister for Veterans in the decision, shortly before the death of Gulf War veteran Mr T E Walker, to cut his war pension from 100 per cent to 40 per cent; at what date he was aware of the decision to reverse the cut; whether and when the Minister saw the terms of the letter sent by the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, following Mr Walker's death, to his father on 10 October; and whether at any stage the Prime Minister has been informed of the handling of this case.

Answer: The Minister for Veterans had no role in the decision to reduce Mr T E Walker's war pension from 100 per cent to 40 per cent. Following representations from the honourable Member for the City of York (Mr Bayley), about related matters, ministerial commitment was given on 31 July 2007 to look into the case in more detail. On 5 September 2007 a response from the Minister for Veterans was sent to Mr Bayley. The letter promised a further update once officials had provided a more detailed note about the case specifics. It was during this review that it was established that the decision to reduce Mr Walker's war pension had been incorrect. The Minister for Veterans was kept up to date on developments.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 357; 697 c54-5WA
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Gulf War Veterans
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Subjects: Iraq-Kuwait conflict War pensions Gulf War syndrome Veterans
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk