asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether any charges, other than the installation charge and annual rental fee, are payable in advance by applicants who are successful in having telephone service applied to them.

An advance deposit against call charges is also required in some instances in addition to the connection fee and advance rental.

Will the Minister inform the house in what circumstances the advance charge for calls is made against the subscriber?

There are many instances in which the Department, from their experience in relation to particular instances might decide to ask for an advance on calls. It would not be very prudent of the Minister to tell the house about any specific situations. In general, there are certain business which, from experience in the Department, are not very good risks in relation to paying accounts. It is specifically in relation to such circumstances as those that advance charges are made.

Would the Minister tell the house if advance charges in respect of telephone calls are expected from non-nationals?

This is a matter which is for the Department to decide in relation to their experience. I am not aware of non-nationals being asked to pay but if the Deputy has experience of some instances he might communicate with me.

The Deputy has. Would the Minister give the House an undertaking that his Department will not, as a matter of policy, make advance charges against people other than Irish nationals in respect of telephone services?

Every situation will be dealt with on its merits. There will be no general across-the-board policy statement from me.

8.