§ MR. HOPWOOD (Lancashire, S. E., Middleton)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to any Order given by Guardians for the re-vaccination of all the inmates of a workhouse; whether it is made clear to the medical officers that this can only be done after consent asked and obtained; and whether any such Order applies to old and young alike?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Sir W. FOSTER,) Derby, IlkestonThe attention of the Local Government Board has not been called to any Order given by Guardians for the re-vaccination of all the inmates of a workhouse, but there have, no doubt, been several instances where, in consequence of cases of smallpox occurring on the workhouse premises, the Guardians have directed that, so far as the circumstances admitted, the inmates should be vaccinated or re-vaccinated when this was deemed needful by the medical officer. In the case of an 1168 adult inmate the vaccination should not be performed unless he is willing, nor in the case of a child when the parent objects. The Board have no reason to doubt that this is understood by medical officers of workhouses.