asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total amount paid, to date, to the contractors on the Shannon Power Development Scheme; and, further, if he will state the amount that will accrue for payment on completion of the works.

The total amount paid to the contractors up to February 1st, 1929, was: Civil constructional works, £2,140,557 11s. 0d.; electrical and mechanical works, £1,428,904 18s. 11d.; total, £3,569,462 9s. 11d. The amount which will accrue for payment on the completion of the works can at present only be estimated. The sums will be approximately: Civil Constructional Works, £2,897,000; electrical and mechanical works, £1,906,000; total, £4,803,000.