To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of (a) war pensions and (b) Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claims were settled by the Veterans Agency within 50 working days in each year since 2001. (139621)

[holding answer 4 June 2007]: The information requested for the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) was only introduced in April 2005, consequently information is only held from that date. From 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006, 89.9 per cent. of cases were cleared within 50 days. For the period 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007, 87.3 per cent. of cases were cleared within 50 days.

The WPS Key target for 2006-07; to reduce the average time it takes to issue decisions on claims to war pensions to no more than 53 working days, was exceeded with an achievement of 49 working days. The AFCS key target for 2006-07; to issue decisions on AFCS claims in average of no more than 35 working days; was exceeded with an achievement of 34 working days.