asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will state (a) for himself and (b) for the Parliamentary Secretary the cost of officially provided Christmas cards and greetings sent in 1969; if the postage was provided free by his Department; if so, the cost in each case; if he will give an estimate of the cost of cards on order for this year under each heading; and if the cards will be sent free.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Official Christmas Cards.
22.
No Christmas cards were officially provided for the Minister for Social Welfare in 1969. The cost of officially provided Christmas cards sent by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Welfare in 1969 was £33 8s 7d. The cards were despatched as Departmental post and there was no separate postage cost.
No Christmas cards have been ordered for the Minister for Social Welfare this year. Christmas cards ordered for the Parliamentary Secretary this year will cost approximately £20 and it is proposed to despatch them as Departmental post.
What about the Minister for Labour?
May I ask the Minister how much per head these cards will cost the taxpayers?
Question No. 23.
Sir, I have asked the Minister a question. I would suggest that the Minister would save at least £7 or £8 if he would stand up here and say: "I wish you all a happy Christmas" instead of sending out cards at the taxpayers' expense. That is only in relation to this House but if each Minister in turn stands up——
We cannot have a debate on this.
I know we should not.
There are many questions to be dealt with and we are wasting the time of the House.
We are wasting the taxpayers' money.
23.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will state the cost of officially provided Christmas cards and greetings sent by him in 1969; if the postage was provided free by his Department; if so, the cost in each case; if he will give an estimate of the cost of cards on order for this year; and if the cards will be sent free.
In 1969, the cost of cards was £196 10s 6d, and the estimated cost of postage was £23 15s and was included in the charge for postal services for my Department.
No cards are being sent this year.