asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) the gross debt of the several local authorities in County Galway excluding harbour authorities, vocational education and county committees of agriculture at the 31st December, 1953, and (b) the amounts paid in interest for the year ending 31st December, 1953, by such local authorities.

Figures for the 31st December, 1953, are not available as the relevant returns show the position at the end of the financial year only. On the 31st March, 1953, the gross debt of local authorities in County Galway other than vocational education committees, county committees of agriculture and harbour authorities, amounted to £2,290,000, approximately. The amount paid in interest (including overdraft interest) by such authorities in the year ending 31st March, 1953, was approximately £75,000.