§ MR. BURTasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he is aware that section thirty-one of the Vaccination Act of 1867 was obtained from Parliament on the express understanding that it was needed in order to give jurisdiction over children born before the new Act came into operation, but since the Act of 1853; and whether, as the section is no longer needed for its original purpose, and as there are no children now to whom the rest of the Act does not apply, he will consider the propriety of ordering the use of Section 31 to be discontinued?
§ MR. DODSONThe Question of my hon. Friend is based upon an erroneous assumption. There is nothing in the Act of 1867 limiting it to the children referred to; and, so far from there being any understanding that Section 31 should be limited as suggested, it is so drawn as to include all children, whether born before or after the passing of the Act. I cannot, therefore, assent to the conclusion that the section in question is no longer required for its original purpose. I am desirous that the powers of the section should not be abused; but I have no authority to order the use of it to be discontinued.