Perhaps I can assist the Minister. I suggest that the number in the public service has increased somewhat between 1983 and 1984. Will he, therefore, comment on the success of the Government's embargo on recruitment to the public service?

My information in relation to the embargo is that it is having the necessary effect in reducing the numbers in public service employment.

With respect, if the Minister does not have the information available how can he make that statement? The information available to me is that the size of the public service has increased somewhat between 1983 and 1984 and that, therefore, the embargo has not been operational.

I should like to point out that the Deputy asked me a question in relation to the numbers of public servants included in calculating the average wage, which is totally different from the question of increased numbers.

I will take either figure.

I will make the figure on which the average wage is based available to the Deputy.