Clause 1 - Pension and compensation schemes: armed and reserve forces
Armed Forces(Pensions and Compensation) Bill
2:30 pm
Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot, Conservative)
Fine, I would say, rather than perfect, but no doubt the Whip will be able to elaborate on the distinction between those two.
We had a useful debate earlier today on the compensation provisions of the Bill and I want to pick up on some of the Minister's points. I start on a note of agreement by saying that the Minister is right to draw attention to one of the pluses in the new scheme, which is that compensation will be payable to those who continue to serve. That is to be encouraged.
I also sympathise with the Minister as he tries to deal with the burgeoning cost of compensation claims. I referred earlier to the compensation culture that is alive and well, and flourishing in some quarters. To give some idea of it, I remind members of the Committee who might have forgotten—I know that they knew originally—that the compensation paid by the Ministry of Defence in 1997–98 was £70 million, whereas in 2002–03 the amount was £104 million. That is a huge figure. I understand from that excellent magazine Soldier, which I am sure all hon. Members read—