Ill-Health Benefits - Non-attributable ill-health benefits

Part of Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 11:15 am on 10 February 2004.

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Photo of Mr Ivor Caplin Mr Ivor Caplin Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence 11:15, 10 February 2004

I note that helpfulness is breaking out in all parts of the Committee this morning. I have to say to the hon. Gentleman that if I accepted new clause 16, we would be tying our hands in terms of the possible need to make changes sooner than in three or five years' time. He is talking about reporting to Parliament, but as the Minister responsible, I want to be able to come to Parliament by way of a statement or an answer to a question and make changes to the tariff if they are shown to be necessary. To be tied to some sort of reporting structure is incredibly unhelpful in maintaining a review. I suggest to the Committee that, every year or so, we shall be coming back and making statements about the situation.