asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the value of the unemployment insurance stamps sold in each of the last three insurance years.

Mr. Lemass:

As the accounts are kept on a monthly basis, figures are not available in respect of insurance years, which commence on the first Monday in October each year. The value of Unemployment Insurance Stamps sold in the twelve months commencing on 1st October in the respective years was as follows:—

These figures include (a) Sales at Post Offices, (b) Stamps supplied to employers by the Department and (c) Postage and National Health Insurance Stamps which have been used in error as Unemployment Insurance Stamps. They do not include arrears to the amount of £7,068 in 1934/35, £4,590 in 1935/36, and of £6,219 in 1936/37.