asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of applications received and accepted to date under the provisions of the Contributory Pensions (Voluntary Contributors) Act, 1937?

On 2nd November, 1938, the latest date for which the figures are available, 322,138 applications for admission to the new voluntary pensions scheme had been received in England, Scotland and Wales and 236,694 applicants had, at the same date, been found to be qualified for admission to the scheme. 24,526 applications were still under consideration.