asked the Minister for Defence the average monthly paid sales of the magazine An Cosantóir since I January 1986; the direct cost of printing and typesetting in 1987; the number of staff by rank or grade, both military and civilian, employed on the production of the magazine during 1987; the total cost including production and salaries of the magazine in 1986 and 1987; and the annual surplus or deficit of the magazine in the years 1979 to 1987 inclusive.

As the reply is in the form of a statement containing statistical information and other itemised detail I propose to have it circulated in the Official Report.

An Cosantóir

1. Average monthly paid sales for the period 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1987 were 3,311.

2. Direct cost of printing/typesetting etc. during 1987 was £52,699.75.

3. Number of staff by rank both military and civilian employed in the production of the magazine during 1987 was

One Captain

One Sergeant

One Clerical Assistant/Typist (part-time)

4. Total cost in production and salaries of the magazine was:

5. Surplus/deficit from 1 January 1979 to 30 June 1987:

There was a total deficit over the period of £735.75. The accounting year was changed from a calendar year to July/June period in 1980. These figures do not include staff costs.