§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that whereas in Armagh the charge for a telephone is £5 per annum, in Keady, Markethill, and Tandragee the rate is £6, that the trunk line charge between Armagh and Monaghan, seventeen miles, is 3d., between Armagh and Dungannon, twelves miles, 3d., and between Armagh and Newry, twenty-one miles, 3d., while between Armagh and Portadown, ten miles, the charge is 6d., and between Armagh and Lurgan, fifteen miles, it is 6d.; if he is aware that the high rates charged militate against the development of telephonic communication in these districts; and if these charges can be revised and reduced?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe Armagh exchange was opened by the Post Office before the National Telephone Company's system was transferred to the State, and £5 was the minimum rental for exchange lines in such areas; £6 was the corresponding rate charge by the company. These rates have been continued pending the general revision of telephone rates, which has had to be suspended in consequence of the War. Portadown and Lurgan are in the Belfast area, and trunk calls to these places are effected through: Belfast. The charge of 6d. for trunk calls between Armagh on the one hand and Portadown and Lurgan on the other is therefore based upon the distance between Armagh and Belfast, which exceeds the limit of twenty-five miles within which the minimum fee of 3d. is applicable. I regret that it is not at present practicable to alter the existing basis of charge, but the question will be borne in mind when it becomes practicable to resume the consideration of the general question of telephonic charges.