asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the approximate date on which G.N.R. stockholders may expect to be paid for shares in that company.

The Great Northern Railway Act, 1953, provides that the board shall stand established on such date as is agreed upon by the Minister for Industry and Commerce and the Minister of Commerce in Belfast. I hope to be in a position to announce theagreed date within the next few weeks. Under the terms of the Act the company are required to pay the compensation money to the stockholders within two months of the establishment date.