asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state the number signing as unemployed in the employment exchanges at Ballina, Belmullet, Achill Sound, during the month of October and up to the 15th November, 1950, and the month of October and up to the 15th November, 1951.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.

The following is the statement:—

NOTE.—The increases in the Register at each office subsequent to the third week in October each year are mainly due to the return to the Register of certain classes of persons residing in rural areas, following the termination of the First and Second Employment Periods.