asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken, up to date, by his Department to deal with the question of burning refuse heaps in many parts of the country which are a serious menace to the health of the people living in those particular areas?

A systematic investigation of burning spoil-banks by my alkali inspectors is proceeding. One hundred and fifty-one out of a total of 266 reported to me have been visited. Further visits will be necessary in some cases to ascertain the practicability of remedial measures. Wherever remedial measures have been recom- mended by the inspectors, further visits are being undertaken to determine the efficacy of the measures. I estimate that the completion of the survey will take approximately another 18 months.