asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) the total amount of loans obtained by the Westmeath County Council from all the Departments and subsidiary bodies up to the 31st March, 1953, or for the last year for which the information is available; (b) how much in the £ has been added to the rates to provide for interest and sinking fund after making allowance for grant moneys, and (c) the total amount of such moneys raised by rates.

The total indebtedness of Westmeath County Council on the 31st March, 1952, the latest date for which figures are available, was £1,026,955. Information regarding (b) and (c) is not available in the Department.