§ MR. HOPWOODasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether the Order of the Local Government Board of January 27th, addressed to Boards of Guardians, does not recite, with approval, that—
Some Boards of Guardians have passed a resolution requiring the medical officer, subject to the exercise of his judgment as to making exception in particular cases, to secure the vaccination of all children horn in the workhouse as soon as possible after birth;whether the Local Government Board place any and what limit of age before which a newly born child shall not be vaccinated; and, whether the Department is aware that its orders or directions form no defence in point, of Law to the vaccinating officer on a charge of manslaughter by reason of too early vaccination?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, I presume the hon. Member refers to a Circular letter of January 27, 1882, as there is no Order under that date in the present year. The practice is as stated by the hon. Member in the first paragraph of the Question. The Local Government Board had never fixed any limit of age before which a newly-born child should not be vaccinated, and they are aware that its Orders form no defence in point of law to the vaccinating officer on a charge of manslaughter. There has never been any charge, except the one which recently occurred.