§ Major ROSSasked the Postmaster-General how many new rural telephone exchanges have been opened in Northern Ireland within the past 12 months; how many new subscribers have been added to the list; and in how many villages or rural railway stations in that area have call boxes been put up in the same period?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHDuring the year ended 31st December, 1929, 14 new rural telephone exchanges were opened in Northern Ireland. There was a net increase of 1,433 telephones throughout the area, of which 260 were connected with rural exchanges, and these included 49 new public call offices established in villages or at rural railway stations.
§ Major ROSSasked the Postmaster-General what percentage of rural post offices and railway stations in the counties of Londonderry, Fermanagh, and Tyrone are without public telephones; and what percentage of these are to be provided with public telephones during the present year?
§ Mr. LEES-SMITHThere are 185 rural post offices and railway stations in these counties. Twelve call offices have been established, and 45 others are in course of provision.