§ Major PRESCOTTasked the Minister of Health oh what grounds the Ministry have taken the course of recommending the use of thatch as a roof-covering material for new cottages in rural areas; whether he is aware that several villages have been almost wholly destroyed by fire owing to the use of this material, and that, in consequence, the owners would not risk re-thatching; whether he is aware that it is also objectionable on sanitary grounds; and if he will consider the desirability of withdrawing the recommendation?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am, of course, aware of the risks attending the use of thatch, but where proper precautions are taken to protect the thatch I am advised that it may, with advantage, be used in rural districts when other forms of roof covering are expensive or difficult to obtain.