Sorry - but still no cash for war veteran (From Gazette & Herald)

Sorry - but still no cash for war veteran

THE Government has apologised for the agonising delay in sorting out the compensation claim of Ryedale war veteran Major Richard Leigh Perkins.

But he still does not know if the Inland Revenue will re-pay cash he claims was wrongly taxed from his disability pension over four decades.

Deputy leader of the House of Commons Phil Woolas said he wanted to say sorry for the "inconvenience" suffered by the 86-year-old, but refused to say if the refund would be given.

Major Perkins, of Lastingham, who fought in Burma with The Royal Leicestershire Regiment, was discharged from the army in 1959 after he suffered a mental breakdown.

The Ministry of Defence has admitted that it has wrongly taxed hundreds of armed forces personnel who were disabled during service and had to leave, and announced that the veterans will share £14m compensation.

But because of an error made by the MoD in 1959 when he was discharged, Major Perkins has not seen a penny of the tens of thousands of pounds in tax rebate and compensation he claims he is owed.

Ryedale MP John Greenway raised his case in a House of Commons debate, accusing the MoD of dragging its feet.

"By wrongly taxing Major Perkins for more than 40 years on what is an extremely modest pension, the MoD has significantly undermined his quality of life," said Mr Greenway.

"My constituent is now 86 years old. The Government should surely refund the tax, and pay to him without further delay the compensation that they have given to others while he has the chance to enjoy it."

Mr Woolas insisted the MoD was trying to resolve the tax status, following the decision by the Veterans Agency to award him his war disablement pension.

But he added: "I am also advised that the case is not straightforward. The MoD is preparing a submission to the Inland Revenue, which is responsible for the final decision."

Major Perkins said: "Over the course of the last five years I've had continual apologies and assurances by two successive junior ministers - Mooney and Caplin - that the matter is being looked into by 'our officials'.

"I note the apology, but would like to remind the MoD that John Greenway and I have had continual assurances they are looking into it. His officials have known about this case since October 8, 1998."

Updated: 11:04 Wednesday, April 07, 2004