asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of children in respect of whom allowances have been awarded to (a) contributory old age pensioners and (b) non-contributory old age pensioners; the maximum number of children in any one case under (a) and (b); and the maximum rate of pension now in payment under (a) and (b).

The number of children in respect of whom increases of pension have been awarded to (a) contributory old age pensioners is 1,027 and (b) non-contributory old age (including blind) pensioners, 1,182; the maximum number of children in the case of any one pensioner is, contributory, 9, non-contributory, 10; the maximum contributory old age pension now in payment is £8 9s. 6d. per week and the maximum non-contributory pension is £4 17s. 6d.

The Minister agrees it was a good idea to introduce that.

Yes. That is why I did it.

The Minister was very reluctant to do it until it was forced down his neck.

It was not forced down my neck. Deputy Corish and Deputy Tully never thought of it while they were in or out of office.

Why is the Minister in such bad humour?

He must have got a right scourging yesterday.

Go back to the Department of Defence.

There are at least 20 more questions on the Paper to be answered. Will Deputies kindly remember that the Deputies at the bottom of the Paper are entitled to as much consideration as the Deputies at the top?

This is a special act.

There is a good judge talking now.