To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will bring forward legislation to require local authorities to disregard war pensions in the calculation of housing benefit and community charge rebate; and if he will make a statement.

Local authorities already have the discretion to disregard war widow's and war disablement pension in excess of the statutory £10 weekly disregard when assessing entitlement to housing benefit and community charge benefit. The special payments for pre-1973 war widows—presently £40 weekly—are fully disregarded. We have no plans to change these arrangements.