asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether, in view of the long delay in passing the necessary Bill to legalise the illegal increase in the postage rates on printed matter, he will now reduce that increase within legal limits.

It is hoped to take the Second Reading of the Post Office (Amendment) Bill, 1950, at an early date. In the meantime I do not propose to make any alteration in the rate for newspaper post.

Is the Minister aware that it is now two years since the imposition of this illegal tax and that he is collecting the tax from people who are suffering considerably—business people who send out an enormous number of circulars? He is collecting the tax under false pretences.

asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state the amount of money collected without proper legal authority by way of increased postage rates on printed matter.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply of the 3rd May, 1950, to his previous question on this subject.

There has been more tax collected since I asked the question in May. There must have been a considerable increase in the amount of money collected.

It is only an estimate, as the Deputy knows.