asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been directed to the circumstances surrounding the recent death of a patient in the Harton Hospital of the South Shields Board of Guardians, into which a committee of inquiry appointed by the board has investigated; if he has caused further investigation to be made; if the officer investigating it on his behalf has had at his disposal a full transcript of the shorthand note made at the guardians' inquiry; and what action he proposes to take thereon?

My attention has been drawn to this case. I am awaiting the result of the guardians' investigation which, I understand, is still proceeding.

asked the Minister of Health whether stone-breaking and stone-shifting work is still being performed by men on relief?

The inquiries which I have undertaken with a view to the improvement of conditions in relation to test work are not yet complete, but I may say that in a few cases work of the kind described is performed.

Are not the Government going to take some action in this matter? Is not this a Government of action with regard to stone-breaking and stone-shifting, and does not the right hon. Gentleman remember all he said by way of abuse of his predecessors in office?

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations on this matter from the First Commissioner of Works?

Has my right hon. Friend had any trouble from anybody but Tory boards of guardians?