Written question asked by John Swinney (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 29 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 February 2001. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Thursday, 1 February 2001 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, on what grounds the Inland Revenue settled the Crossland case regarding the exclusion of widowers from receiving widow's bereavement allowance; and what legal advice it received regarding a possible outcome if the allowance was challenged under the European Convention of Human Rights.

Answer: Mr. Swinney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds the Inland Revenue settled the Crossland case regarding the exclusion of widowers from receiving widow's bereavement allowance; and what legal advice it received regarding a possible outcome if the allowance was challenged under the European Convention on Human Rights. [148208] Dawn Primarolo: The Government made a friendly settlement with Mr. Crossland, which was published by the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. It would not be appropriate to disclose any legal advice the Government received, in accordance with exemption 4 (law enforcement and legal proceedings) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 148208; 362 c280-1W;362 c280W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Bereavement benefits European Convention on Human Rights Eligibility Legal opinion Social security benefits Tax allowances Widowed people Widows payment Widowed mothers allowance
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk