asked the Minister for Local Government (a) the total amount of debt of local authorities at the latest available date and (b) the cost of servicing it.

The total indebtedness of local authorities, excluding harbour authorities, vocational education committees, and committees of agriculture at 31st March, 1968 is estimated at £230.54 million. The estimated amount necessary to service this debt in the year ended 31st March, 1968, was £17.16 million.

172.

asked the Minister for Justice the total amount of debt of State and semi-State bodies under the aegis of his Department at the latest available date and (b) the cost of servicing it.

The answer is that there are no bodies of the kind envisaged in the question under the aegis of my Department.

173.

asked the Minister for Defence (a) the total amount of debt of State and semi-State bodies under the aegis of his Department at the latest available date and (b) the cost of servicing it.

The answer to both parts of the question is "nil".