Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing referral to the Independent Case Examiner as a stage in the War Pensions complaints process.

There are no plans for the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) to include the right of referral to the Independent Case Examiner (ICE). WPS decisions carry full rights of appeal to an independent Tribunal and this existing process is effective, fit for purpose, and functioning satisfactorily. The addition of ICE to the process would add an additional step that replicates existing appeals provision which would not enhance, and serve only to delay, the appeals process.