§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the National Telephone Company have expressed their willingness to connect their subscribers at Derry with the trunk line, if the necessary permission is given, and seeing that the trunk line between Belfast and Derry is now completed, he will consider the advisability of meeting the public convenience by permitting the connection to be made forthwith.
LORD STANLEYI do not think that the working of the trunk line in connection with the single-wire system of the National Telephone Company in Londonderry would afford a satisfactory service, and it would not, therefore, be desirable to place the line at the disposal of the company's subscribers until metallic circuits have been provided. This work will, I am informed by the company, proceed without delay. In the meantime communication with the trunk system can be obtained at the call office which has been opened at the Post Office.