An administrative step necessary to effect a doubling of war veterans' pensions was approved by the House of Assembly yesterday.

The Pensions (War Service) Order comes after the Pensions and Gratuities Act 2007 was passed earlier this year.

The Act removed clauses that precluded some black war>veterans from receiving benefits, extended medical and dental benefits, and doubled the pension payment from $400 to $800 per month.

The Pensions (War Service) Order will put that increased payment into effect, backdated to April 1 this year.