asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) the estimated cost of public services as shown in the Book of Estimates for each of the years 1946-47 to 1954-55, inclusive, and (b) the total State expenditure for each of the years 1946-47 to 1953-54, inclusive.

(a) The original net Estimates for Supply Services as shown in the Estimates Volume for each of the years 1946-47 to 1954-55, (aa) expenditure on Supply Services (including voted "capital" services) and (b) total expenditure from the Exchequer (comprising Central Fund Services, Supply Services and Capital Issues less Repayments) in each of the years 1946-47 to 1953-54 are shown in the following table:—

The expenditure figures for 1952-53 and 1953-54 represent Exchequer issues and are subject to audit.