asked the Minister for the Environment the number of vehicle registrations within the country for (1) private cars, and (2) commercial vehicles in each of the years 1961, 1966, 1971 and 1977.

The information requested is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report.

Following is the statement:—

NUMBER of (1) private cars and (2) commercial vehicles under current licence at 10 August in the years 1961 and 1966 and at 30 September in the years 1971 and 1977.

NOTE: The period of the "Annual Census" for motor vehicles generally was changed in 1970 to end on 30 September in any year.