asked the Minister of Health what steps the London County Council have taken to ensure that offices within their jurisdiction are investigated to ensure that the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936, are applied?

On a point of Order. Am I entitled to put a supplementary on Question 33?

Mr. Speaker:

Not now.

Further to that point of Order. Not being able to hear what was said, am I entitled to put a supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker:

We have passed over it now, and are on the next question.

The Public Health Act, 1936, does not in general apply to London. I am informed that the Metropolitan borough councils, the responsible sanitary authorities, are advised that there is some doubt whether offices come within the scope of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, which was private legislation, and that they are considering, in conjunction with the London County Council, whether amendments of the Act should be introduced to remove this doubt.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we were given a very definite pledge by one of his predecessors that the London County Council would bring itself into conformity with this Act?

I understand the London County Council is considering it, in conjunction with the boroughs.

asked the Minister of Health (1) the number of local authorities which have appointed special inspectors to investigate the conditions of offices to ensure that the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936, are applied;

(2) how many offices have been visited by inspectors of local authorities to see that the provisions of the Public Health Act, 1936, are being applied; and how many prosecutions have taken place?

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to obtain information from local authorities, from time to time, as to action taken by these authorities to investigate working conditions in offices under the provisions of the Public Health Act?

The Act came into force on 1st October, 1937, and it was not considered desirable to call for reports until it had been working for a full year. I am not, therefore, in a position to give the information asked for, but I have asked that it shall be included in the annual reports of medical officers of health for the year ending 31st December next.