§ MR. HOPWOODasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he is aware that Joseph Abel of Faring-don, Berks, after being convicted twenty-five times, and subjected to costs and fines amounting to £35 17s. 6d. for refusing to have his children vaccinated, has been served with fresh summonses for the same offence; and, whether he will apply to Parliament for power to control such proceedings?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHSir, I have no reason to doubt the accuracy of the figures given by the hon. and learned Gentleman's Question, and I have heard recently from Mr. Abel that a fresh summons has been issued against him. My opinion, speaking generally, of the impolicy of too frequent prosecutions has been often stated, and I need not repeat it; but I must say that the guardians, in the course which they pursue, are exercising a discretion with which the law intrusts them. I have no inten- 1522 tion of proposing to ask Parliament for powers to enable me to interfere in such cases, nor, were I otherwise minded, does the experience of the debate and division of last Session lead me to suppose that the House would be willing to concede any such powers.