§ 72. Mr. Kirbyasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Corporation of Liverpool among other methods of disinfestation is using naphtha vapour gas; that the use of such gas may be a source of danger to the inhabitants of houses adjoining those so treated; that a claim for damages for injury to health caused by the escape of naphtha fumes into an adjoining house was recently settled in court by the payment of costs and doctor's and counsel's fees; that other complaints have been submitted to the Liverpool Corporation; and will he, if the Liverpool Corporation persist in this method of disinfestation, instruct them to arrange the evacuation of adjoining properly while disinfestation is taking place; and, in view of the fact that in Leeds recently a three-year-old girl was fatally gassed by entering a house while 1058 hydrocyanic fumes were being used as a fumigant, will he cause inquiries to be made into the safest and most effective way of removing vermin from dwelling-house property?
§ Mr. ElliotThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have been informed that in one particular case where there were special circumstances a claim made by an occupant of a neighbouring house was settled by the Corporation out of Court, but I understand that such few other complaints as have been made have not been substantiated and I am advised that no danger to health need be apprehended. The control and management of houses belonging to local authorities are vested by statute in the authorities, and I have no power to give them instructions of the kind contemplated by the hon. Member. With regard to the last part of the question, this matter is now under the consideration of a committee of the Medical Research Council.