asked the Minister for the Public Service when he proposes to provide full parity of ex-gratia pensions for the widows and children of established civil servants who died or retired prior to July, 1968; and the current annual cost of such an improvement.

The question of increasing the rate of ex-gratia pension, payable to widows and children of established civil servants who died or retired prior to 23rd July, 1968, up to the rate of contributory pension payable in respect of officers who serve on or after that date, will be considered in the context of the annual budget. The current annual cost would be approximately £850,000 for the civil service, together with an additional £1,450,000 for the rest of the public service.