asked the Home Secretary the fatalities which have been recorded in the last six months as a result of the use of avertin in operations?

I have been asked to reply. The available records do not enable deaths attributable to anaesthesia to be distinguished from those occurring during anaesthesia, though not attributable thereto. For the six months ending 31st March last the deaths classified as attributable to or having occurred during anaesthesia included the following in which avertin was used:

• 3—Avertin alone.
• 1—Avertin in conjunction with oxygen and nitrous oxide.
• 1—Avertin in conjunction with "gas, oxygen and ether."

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered complaints with regard to the water supply at Selsley, near Stroud, Gloucestershire; and whether any steps are being taken to improve the situation?

I have received complaints of a shortage of water at Selsley, and have communicated with the Stroud Rural District Council about the possibility of extending the Stroud Water Company's mains to the village. The council are at present in negotiation with the water company for this object, and I am informed that a satisfactory arrangement is likely to be reached in the near future.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the report of the county medical officer for Monmouthshire for 1932, in which it is stated that the county council ordered that the maternity and child welfare estimates should be reduced by the annual figure of £3,260, and that in the following year, 1933–34, a further saving of £637 was required, and that it was necessary therefore to revise the scheme for the provision of milk for necessitous mothers and for infants; and what action he proposes to take in view of the fact that it is noted, both in the 1932 and 1933 reports, that in many of the districts under the county council mothers are showing evidence of malnutrition?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I am informed that the county council gave an assurance that the reductions referred to would not prevent the continued supply of milk to those mothers who required it on grounds of health, but I am making further inquiry as to the present position, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can ascertain from all Government Departments, including the Commissioners of Crown Lands, and from local authorities and statutory bodies such as the Metropolitan Police, Metropolitan Water Board, Port and Harbour Authorities, and Electricity Boards, how many and what proportion of married employés on salaries of £250 a year or less are living in houses built and owned by the authorities which actually employ them?

In view of the labour and expense which would be involved in collecting the information, I do not think that I should be justified in adopting the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend.