Oral Answers to Questions

Nicholas Dakin Excerpts

Monday 31st January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Peter Luff]

I am quite clear that the AirTanker will be an outstanding aircraft and do its job very well. It is urgently needed to repair a fragile air bridge and perform its main function of in-air refuelling as well. I understand, however, the hon. Gentleman’s point of view.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

5. What his policy is on the provision of benefits to veterans; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Andrew Robathan)]

Veterans who are injured as a result of their service before 6 April 2005 can apply for compensation in the form of a war pension. For those whose disablement affects their ability to work, additional provision may be made in the form of supplementary allowances, paid in addition to the war pension.

[Nic Dakin]

I thank the Minister for his reply. Will he explain why it is proving so difficult, in terms of benefits, to treat the UK’s atomic veterans as fairly and equally as the atomic veterans of other similar nations?

[Mr Robathan]

The hon. Gentleman ought to discuss that matter with his own Front-Bench team, as it was the last Government who appealed against the ruling in favour of the atomic war veterans—