asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will intimate the total number of persons in Scotland who were over 80 years of age on 5th July, 1970; and what proportion will qualify for the pension now payable to the over-80s.

The estimated total number of persons in Scotland over 80 years of age on 5th July, 1970, is 97,000; about 10 per cent, will qualify for pensions under Section 1 of the National Insurance (Old Persons' and Widows' Pensions and Atendance Allowance) Act, 1970.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons over 80 years of age applied unsuccessfully for a pension under the National Insurance (Old Persons) Act, 1970, at the Huddersfield, Holmfirth, Slaithwaite and Oldham Offices, respectively.

Up to and including 3rd December, 1970, the number of unsuccessful claims for a pension under Section 1 of the National Insurance (Old Persons' and Widows' Pensions and Attendance Allowance) Act, 1970, by these offices is as follows: —

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of men and women over 80 years of age who are not in receipt of any National Insurance pension.

Possibly 50,000, but I must emphasise that we can only make a very rough approximation.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of men and women over the age of 80 years living in the Dearne Valley constituency who have been granted a pension under the recent Act.

Separate figures are not available for the Dearne Valley constituency, but up to and including 3rd December, 1970, the number of awards made under Section 1 of the National Insurance (Old Persons' and Widows' Pensions and Attendance Allowance) Act, 1970, by our offices which cover the constituency are as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent the issue of pension books to elderly people entitled under Section 1 of the National Insurance (Old Persons' and Widows' Pensions and Attendance Allowance) Act, 1970, is being held up by pressure of work at the Central Pensions Branch, Newcastle; and how many entitled applicants still await the first payment of pension, due on 2nd November, 1970.

The issue of pension books to elderly people entitled under Section 1 of the National Insurance (Old Persons' and Widows' Pensions and Attendance Allowance) Act, 1970, is not being held up by pressure of work at Central Pensions Branch, Newcastle. Figures are not available of the numbers of pensioners entitled to payment from 2nd November, 1970, and not yet paid for reasons beyond the control of the Department; for instance the time taken to complete arrangements for an agent to receive the pension.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce a measure to grant pensions to the over 80's on the same basis as the Act granting pensions to certain men over 87 years of age and certain women over 82 years of age.

This is one of a number of matters under consideration.