§ Mr. STANTONasked the Minister of Health if he has received a petition from the ratepayers and citizens of Aberdare, South Wales, signed by the high constable of Miskin Higher, demanding an inquiry into the Aberdare Urban District housing scheme with a view of fixing the responsibility for the grave situation to which attention has been called from time to time by the Ministry of Health; and will he, in conjunction with the inquiry into the housing scheme, make a thorough investigation into the administration and working of every department under the council's control to protect the interests of the citizens and ratepayers?
§ Sir A. MONDI think that this matter can best be dealt with at the audit of the accounts of this council, which will be commenced on the 22nd instant. This audit will embrace the whole of the accounts of the council for the year ended the 31st March last, and the district auditor will make a full investigation, giving special attention to the question of financial control. He will be assisted in connection with his inquiries into the housing scheme by a technical assessor. It will be open to any ratepayer or owner of property in the district to appear before the auditor.