asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total number of contributory old age pension applications granted to the nearest available date, and their annual cost.

Up to and including 31st May, 1961, old age (contributory) pensions had been awarded to 32,813 claimants. The annual cost of paying that number of pensions at current rates would be £4,322,604.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say if all pensions granted have actually been paid in full?

I do not understand the question.

The reason I ask is that there are a substantial number of arrears in respect of pensions that have been granted.

That is a separate question.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say, when he speaks of so many millions, is there a set-off against that in respect of the non-contributory old age pensions which these pensioners were receiving and are not now receiving?

They would be a falloff as a result of the award of the contributory pensions.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary conveniently give me an estimate of this set-off in respect of the non-contributory pensions no longer payable to these persons?

I could not give the exact figure.

You could not give me an approximate figure?