asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs what specific steps he intends to take to satisfy the public demand for telephones.

It is planned to instal 18,000 telephones during the current financial year. Service will be offered to all pre-1964 applicants and to as many later applicants as possible, including the great majority of those who applied in 1964 and many 1965 applicants. This will represent a very considerable increase on the number of telephones hitherto installed in any one year. Plans are being made for a further increase in the number of connections in the financial year 1966/67.

Is the Minister considering forming the telephone and telegraph sections of his Department into a semi-State company?

No.

Is the Minister considering forming his whole Department into a semi-State company?

That surely does not arise out of this question.