Dr Julian Lewis: When we last discussed pensions in the House, the Minister [Lewis Moonie] kindly said that he would look again at the question of post-retirement marriages, where the officer concerned may have died after having married after the end of his period of service – often because the nature of his service encouraged that postponement – and the widow is not entitled to any pension at all. Has the hon. Gentleman had a chance to look into the matter, as he said he would, and if so, what are his initial thoughts on the subject?

[Dr Lewis Moonie: The matter is still under discussion with my officials in the light of the pensions review that is taking place. However, it is most unlikely that any change that was brought in would be retrospective. That is not to say that some changes in the margins may not be made with regard to future holders of a pension.]