asked the Minister for Finance if he will state why penal interest is charged by the Commissioners of Public Works on arrears of loans due by Westport Urban Council, in view of the fact that during the troubled years of 1920-1923 martial law was proclaimed, and no council functioned; further, whether, in view of the fact that the town of Westport suffered so much because of the national attitude adopted by its inhabitants, the Minister will see that steps will be taken to relieve the present Urban Council of the financial burden about to be placed on them.

Penal interest in respect of arrears of loans due to the Commissioners of Public Works is a statutory charge imposed by Section 5 of the Public Works Loans Act, 1897, and I have, therefore, no power either to reduce or waive it.