asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have improved their code of by-laws during the previous two years with reference to the sanitary conditions that exist through the hop-picking season; and can he state whether any further improvements have been suggested by his Department to local authorities for the forthcoming season?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for Barnstaple (Sir B. Peto) on the 15th April.

Has the Ministry any inspectors who take opportunities of seeing these hop-pickers, and seeing whether any improvement in the conditions can be made?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that, as a result of the new arrangements for the payment of the Government grant to the North Wales Home Teaching Society for the Blind, the society will receive no Government grant for the period from 1st October, 1929, to 31st March, 1930; and whether, in view of the fact that this will seriously cripple the work of the society, he will give instructions for the customary grant to be made for this period?

In the year ended 31st March last this society received a full year's Exchequer grant and, by the provisions of the scheme made under Section 102 of the Local Government Act, it will receive a full year's contribution from the local authorities during the present and each succeeding financial year. The continuity of the payments to the society is thus preserved, and I am unable to see how the changes effected by the Act will cripple its work.

Is it not a fact that there will be a gap of six months owing to the change over between payment by the Government direct and by the local authorities?

That is not so. There is no gap. There is continuity of payment. I have tried to explain it on several occasions. It really needs a blackboard and easel to make it perfectly plain. [Interruption.] Hon. Members are unduly touchy about it. I do not know if the hon. and gallant Gentleman is. On previous occasions I have tried to make it clear that the Exchequer grants for the full year were paid up till 31st March last and, from this year onwards, similar grants will be paid to local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health what action his Department proposes to take, following representations made in 1925 to the Hampton Urban District Council, for the provision of a deep drainage system on Thames Ditton Island?

Some recommendations were made by my Department following an investigation made in 1925, but no further communications have passed since that date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the ordinary sanitary services on this island are entirely neglected, with the result that the conditions constitute a positive menace to public health as well as being destructive of the amenities of the river?

I was unaware of the problem until my hon. Friend brought it to my notice, and I have been in communication with the local authorities this week.

asked the Minister of Health how soon the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Disposal of London Refuse is to be published?

I am informed that the Report is likely to be signed in the course of the present month.

Has there not been some reason for the delay during the past three months which was not anticipated by the Minister?

No, only the delay occasioned by the unfortunate death of the Chairman.

Are we still to have all this refuse dumped in Essex?

As the Minister foreshadowed our having the Report in February, and it is now May, will he see that it is not only signed but published at a very early date?

There will be no delay in publication.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have made by-laws under Section 5 of the Public Health (Smoke Abatement) Act, 1926; whether model by-laws under this Section have been issued from the Ministry of Health for the guidance of local authorities; and, if not, will he state the reason?

No local authority has made by-laws, or forwarded draft by-laws, under this Section. Model by-laws have not yet been issued, by reason of technical difficulties.

Are the practical difficulties such that opinion of the Ministry the Act is practically inoperative?

That may be true. It is clear that the difficulties of framing adequate model by-laws are such that we have not yet been able to overcome them.