HC Deb 22 May 1891 vol 353 c881
MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Report of the Inspector of the Local Government Board, Dr. Ballard, upon the case of Emily Maud Child, who died, according to the finding of the Coroner's Jury, at Leeds, on 1st July, 1889, of syphilis acquired at or from vaccination, has been printed; whether he will lay a copy upon the Table of the House; whether the father of the deceased child has twice applied for a copy of Dr. Ballard's Report, and has been twice refused; and whether, in view of his own statement in the House on 27th February, 1890, that the Inspector had arrived at a different conclusion from that of the Coroner's Jury, he will direct a copy of the Report to be forwarded to the father of the said child?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE,) Tower Hamlets, St. George's

I am not aware that the Report has been printed. It is not the practice of the Local Government Board to give publicity to the Reports of their Inspectors, which have always been regarded as of a confidential character, but I have thought it right to submit this particular Report to the Royal Commission on Vaccination now sitting, and I understand that a Report has been under their consideration and may be the subject of evidence before the Commission.

MR. CHANNING

Is it impossible to convey the Report to the persons concerned?

MR. RITCHIE

I think so, in consequence of the action which has been taken. I shall be glad to show the Report to the hon. Gentleman confidentially.

MR. CHANNING

Will the Report be printed with the evidence before the Royal Commission?

MR. RITCH

I cannot say; but I have no doubt that it will be given with the evidence.