asked the Minister of Health how many local municipal authorities in certain areas of which he has been informed are now carrying a bank overdraft in accordance with Government requirements when financial aid is given and to what sum these overdrafts amount?

The overdraft was in some cases a definite sum fixed by agreement with my Department, in others it was the overdraft existing at the time assistance commenced. In one or two cases no assistance has yet been required. The number of authorities concerned is 23 and the total overdrafts amount to about £375,000.