HC Deb 29 January 1913 vol 47 cc1337-8
70. Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAM

asked whether many applicants for telephones in the city of Dublin have had to wait for six months and more before being provided with instruments and numbers, and that old subscribers who remove to new premises are no better treated; and whether any steps are being taken to supply the citizens of Dublin with telephone facilities adequate to their growing needs and to reduce the present delay in installing instruments?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I regret that there is considerable delay in providing telephone installations in Dublin owing to the fact that, on the transfer of the National Telephone Company's system, it was found that in that city, as in many other places in the United Kingdom, there were no spare wires available for meeting the demand. Special steps have been taken to provide additional underground plant and everything possible is being done to expedite the completion of the work, which will then provide for future requirements for a considerable period.