asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state (a) the gross debt of local authorities, excluding harbour authorities, vocational education committees and county committees of agriculture, on the 31st March, 1957, and the amount paid in interest for the year ended on that date, (b) the estimated gross debt and the estimated amount to be paid in interest for the year ended 31st March, 1958.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Authorities' Gross Debt: Interest Payments.
14.
The total indebtedness of local authorities excluding harbour authorities, vocational education committees and county commitees of agriculure was £128,476,000 at 31st March, 1957, and £137,371,000 at 31st March, 1958. The total amount of interest paid on stocks, loans and bank overdrafts was £5,318,000 for the year 1956-57 and £5,887,000 for the year 1957-58.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I would like to raise on the Adjournment to-night the following matter: the encroachment by foreign trawlers on the fishing grounds within three miles of the south-eastern coasts of Wexford and Waterford.
I shall communicate with the Deputy in respect to the matter.
I wish to raise the subject matter of Question No. 9 on the Adjournment to-night.
I shall communicate with the Deputy during the course of the evening.