§ MR. HEYWOOD JOHNSTONE (Sussex, Horsham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the Royal Commission on Vaccination last sat to take evidence; how many times its members have sat to consider their Report; when they last sat for that purpose; and, what date, if any, is fixed for their next meeting.
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI am informed that the Commission last sat to take evidence orally on December 13, 1893, but that since then they have procured and considered much valuable written evidence. I am also informed that they have held 12 meetings for the consideration of their Report, besides informal meetings of various members for the elucidation of certain points before their consideration by the general body of Commissioners. The last meeting was yesterday; the next is on Wednesday, the 11th inst. I may add that the time of many of the Commissioners is largely occupied by other important duties. They have given their labour ungrudgingly to the work of the Commission, and they are most earnestly desirous to bring their labours to a close.