HC Deb 14 July 1887 vol 317 cc758-9
MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

asked the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education, Whether Frank Heap has been for about two years employed as monitor by the Keighley School Board, and whether he has passed the necessary examination qualifying for pupil teacher; whether the Keighley School Board are desirous of appointing Frank Heap pupil teacher; and, whether the Education Department refuse to grant the necessary certificate, on the ground that Frank Heap is unvaccinated; and, if so, under what Statute or Regulation is the refusal of the Department justified?

THE VICE PRESIDENT (Sir WILLIAM HART DYKE) (Kent, Dartford)

It is the practice of the Department to require a medical certificate on a prescribed form, to be filled up on behalf of all candidates. If this form showed that the candidate had not been vaccinated, the managers were told that the candidate could not be accepted until the operation was performed. This is a measure of precaution which has been approved by successive Vice Presidents of the Council, including no less an authority than the right hon. Gentleman the Member for South Leeds (Sir Lyon Playfair).

MR. BRADLAUGH

Do I understand that this is simply a Regulation in the discretion of the Council, and not under a Statute.

SIR WILLIAM HART DYKE

No. I apprehend it is not under any Statute, but in the discretion of the Department.