asked the Taoiseach if he will state the number of new Ministries set up in each year since 1932; the date on which each Ministry was established; and the name and period of office of the Minister in control of each such Ministry.

Two new war-time Ministries, namely, Supplies and Co-ordination of Defensive Measures, were established in 1939, shortly after the outbreak of war, and were disestablished in 1945, following the cessation of hostilities in Europe. Two new permanent Ministries, namely, Health and Social Welfare, were established in January of this year.

The following are the details asked for by the Deputy in regard to the above-mentioned Ministries:—

I might add that the title of the Minister for Lands and Fisheries was altered to that of Minister for Lands, with effect from 1st April, 1934, and that the title of the Minister for Local Government and Public Health was altered to that of Minister for Local Government, with effect from 22nd January, 1947.

asked the Taoiseach if he will state the number of Parliamentary Secretaries who held office, in each year since 1932, with the name of each such person.

The number of persons who held office at the same time as Parliamentary Secretary during the whole or any portion of a year since 1932 was: four from 1933 to 1935, five from 1936 to 1946, four up to the 21st January last, and three since then.

The names of the persons who held office as Parliamentary Secretary during the whole or any portion of a year since 1932 are given in a separate statement, which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.

The statement referred to is as follows:—