§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the greatest dissatisfaction prevails amongst merchants and traders in Belfast owing to the lack of telephone facilities; whether he can state the number of applicants for telephones in Belfast on the books of the Post Office and the number that have been granted since the signing of the Armistice; and whether, in view of the great inconvenience and loss 1726W caused, he will take prompt action to speed up the work of installing new telephones.
§ Mr. PEASEThe number of applications for telephones in the Belfast district since the Armistice is approximately 1,465. Seven hundred and thirty-four orders have been executed, and there are 191 accepted orders on hand. The remaining 540 applications cannot be accepted until additional underground plant is provided. The work will be carried out as quickly as possible, but time must be allowed for the manufacture of the cables.