asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the total gross and the total net external assets held by the associated commercial banks on the reporting dates in December 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957.

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:—