Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of permitting veterans in receipt of benefits under the War Pension Scheme, as a result of injuries received in service prior to 2005, to transfer to the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

The War Pensions Scheme (WPS) and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) are two entirely separate schemes. The WPS provides no fault compensation to former Service personnel and their dependants for injuries and death as a result of service before 6 April 2005. The AFCS provides compensation for injury, illness or death caused by service in the UK Armed Forces on or after 6 April 2005. It is therefore not possible for a veteran in receipt of benefits under the WPS to transfer to the AFCS for injuries caused in service prior to 2005.