§ 53. Sir MARTIN CONWAYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the recent destruction of some slum houses in Westminster which belonged to the London County Council, a plague of vermin, notably of the species Acanthia lectularia, has invaded certain streets within the borough; and whether he will take steps to see that the municipal authorities disinfect the houses attacked by this pest, seeing that the insects in question are well-known carriers of infection of certain diseases?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI was not previously aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. I have no power to give directions to the local authorities in this matter, but I will communicate with them and inform the hon. Member of the result.
§ Sir M. CONWAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman know that the female of this enterprising insect lays eggs four times a year, 50 at a time, and that the eradication of a pest of that sort exceeds the powers of the dwellers in most private houses; and will he call the attention of the Westminster municipal authorities to the fact that the Chelsea municipal authorities undertake the extirpation of this enterprising insect, and ask them if they will follow the example of Chelsea?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI will certainly do my best to bring this interesting information to their notice.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSHas the pest spread to this House?
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEIs this the same kind of pest which was found recently in imported Russian butter?
§ Mr. MESSERCan the Minister give us the English name of this insect?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am afraid it has not got one.