§ MR. HOPWOOD (Lancashire, S. E., Middleton)I beg to ask the Vice President of the Committee of Council on Education by what authority the Department declines to admit as pupil teachers young persons who have prepared themselves for the profession, and are in all respects fitted for appointment, on the ground that they are not vaccinated; is there any Statute making the above a condition precedent; can the Education Department exclude from the schools any child as scholar on the ground that it is not vaccinated; and is he aware that by law no one over the age of 14 years can be compelled to be vaccinated?
§ THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (Mr. ACLAND,) York, W.R., RotherhamThere is no statutory authority in this matter; but it is laid down in the Code, which has been approved by Parliament, that candidates for admission as pupil teachers must produce a medical certificate in a form prescribed by the Department. If this form does not show that the candidate has been successfully vaccinated, it has been the practice of the Department for many years, under successive Governments, to refuse admission. I do not think it desirable to alter these arrangements pending the Report of the Royal Commission. It is the case that no one over 14 can be compelled to be vaccinated. The Education Department have no power to exclude any child from a school on any ground whatever.