asked the Postmaster-General if he can give the number of new subscribers to the telephone service in the Saorstát in the years 1922 and 1923, respectively, and also if he can state the number who relinquished their telephones during those years.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TELEPHONE SUBSCRIBERS.
The number of new telephone subscribers in 1922 and 1923 was 3,323 and 3,187 respectively, and the number of subscribers who ceased in these years was 2,951 and 2,357 respectively.
Owing to the disturbed conditions which prevailed and to the dearth of spare underground wires in Dublin which existed neither 1922 nor 1923, can be regarded as representative years so far as telephone development is concerned.
In the first quarter of the present year 825 new orders and 282 notices to cease have been received, giving a net gain of 543 subscribers.