asked the Postmaster-General what was the number of persons awaiting telephones in the constituency of Belfast, North and the number of telephones installed, respectively, in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

At the 31st May, 102 persons were awaiting telephones; a further 142 applications were under enquiry or in course of being met. The figures a year ago were 95 and 64 respectively. During the past 12 months 617 telephones were installed. New cables have been laid and more are planned. I hope that about three-quarters of the people at present waiting for telephones will get them by the end of September.