asked the Minister for Social Welfare (1) the numbers of applications received by him for contributory old age pensions up to 31st May, 1961, (2) the number of applicants who received such pensions, and (3) the number of cases awaiting decision.

Up to and including the 31st May, 1961, 44,129 claims to old age (contributory) pension were received, and in 32,813 of these cases pensions had been awarded. There were on that date 2,205 claims awaiting decision.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say how many of these decisions were held up because the insurance numbers of the applicants were not available?

About 280 are held up because of lack of proper insurance information but they are being pursued.