asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he can state the total indebtedness of the local authorities on 31st March, 1942, and the total interest charge payable in respect of this debt in the last financial year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Indebtedness of Local Authorities.
Particulars of the indebtedness of local authorities as at the 31st March, 1942, are not available. The latest published returns of local taxation relate to the year ended the 31st March, 1940, and I would refer the Deputy to the Parliamentary Debates of the 26th March, 1942, in which is set out on page 319 a summary of loan charges for that year. It is not practicable from the returns received from local bodies to segregate interest charges from total loan charges.