asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the total gross sterling assets held by (a) the Central Bank or the Currency Commission, (b) the commercial banks, (c) Government Departments, and (d) the Post Office and courts, at mid-October, 1938, 1948 and 1954, respectively.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated in the Official Report.

Following is the statement:—

STERLING ASSETS HELD BY CENTRAL BANK, COMMERCIAL BANKS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.

The total amount of British Government securities held by Government Departments, including the Post Office Savings Bank and the Courts of Justice, is available only for the end of each financial year.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the gross amount of the sterling assets held by the commercial banks in each of the months June to November, 1956.

Following are the figures of the gross external assets of the commercial banks in each of the months June to November, 1956.