asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will seek a reciprocal arrangement with the British Government to provide for free travel facilities between the two countries for people in receipt of old age pensions.

The free travel scheme administered by my Department now covers all persons aged 68 and over who are permanently resident in the State. As there is no comparable scheme in operation in the United Kingdom there is no basis for reciprocity in this regard.

Surely the Parliamentary Secretary could at least find out and reflect on the capabilities of his own Department as against the Department of the British Government.

I am satisfied that the Deputy and many of his colleagues are only too well aware of the progressive nature of the Department of Social Welfare.