asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of diphtheria in immunised children under 15 years of age and in immunised persons over 15 years of age occurred during the second half of 1943; and how many fatal cases were reported amongst them.

Information received from medical officers of health shows that during the second half of 1943, 756 cases of diphtheria, of which five were fatal, occurred in immunised children up to 15 years of age and 69 cases with no deaths in immunised persons over that age. The hon. Member will be interested in the position as regards non-immunised persons, which is as follows:—

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many immunisations against diphtheria were recorded during each of the years 1941, 1942 and 1943; how many were amongst the under fives 'and those aged five to 15; and how many would now be over 15 years of age.

The number of immunisations against diphtheria recorded during the years 1941 to 1943 are as follows:

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the death on 2nd April, 1944, of Lesley Robinson, aged five months, daughter of Private Frank Robinson, of 18, High Street, Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington, which was certified by Dr. Morton as due to toxaemia, generalised vaccinia, vaccination against small-pox; what inquiry he has made into this case; and with what result.

Yes, Sir. Inquiry is at present being made by my medical officers and is not yet complete. I will communicate further with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the conduct of the medical officers of an L.C.C. hospital, of which he has been informed, where a lady, aged 74, was on the danger list, but because she asked for postponement of certain tests to which she did not feel immediately equal and was supported in this by her family doctor, was ordered to leave hospital within 24 hours and was allowed three further days' grace only on the representation of her family doctor that alternative accommodation could not be found in 24 hours.

I am communicating with the London County Council on this case and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department or the Ministry of Agriculture possesses an overriding power in deciding whether land desired for housing purposes by any local authority is more suited for this purpose or for agriculture; and how many cases of difference of opinion on such an issue have already arisen.

The arrangements under which land is proposed to be bought by local authorities for housing purposes provide for consultation through the Ministry of Town and Country Planning with all the interested Departments including, of course, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. I am not aware of any differences which may have arisen which have not been satisfactorily settled.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will investigate the case, details of which have been sent to him, of a detainee under Regulation 18B who is a British citizen, has never been a member of any political party or been accused of any political activities, who is married to an English woman and who is now suffering from duodenal ulcer and has been in detention for three-and-a-half years.

The British subject in question was born in Hong Kong of German parents, taken to Germany in infancy and came to the United Kingdom when he had reached the age of 21. His case has been most carefully examined by the Advisory Committee on two occasions, on both of which he appeared in person before the Committee and was given every opportunity to explain any matters which appeared to be to his prejudice. His case has been kept under periodic review, and recently I considered it again on receiving representations from a number of hon. Members to whom the detainee had written. I decided that I must adhere to my previous decision, and would not be justified in authorising his release. Careful consideration has been given to the state of his health, and he is receiving special diet and the medicines which his treatment requires. My latest information is that his condition has so far improved that he is going out to farm work.