§ MR. F. A. CHANNING (Northampton, E.): I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether the attention of the Post Office authorities has been called to the case of Miss Annie Jane Maxted, appointed six months ago as an assistant or clerk to the department, then pronounced healthy and strong, compelled as a condition to appointment to be re-vaccinated, suffered in consequence it is stated for six months, terminating in death on the 2nd instant; whether there is any authority by statute to enforce the above condition; whether it is ordered by the department assuming the power; and whether, while the recommendations of the Royal Commission are unconsidered by Parliament, the order will be continued?
§ MR. HANBURYThe attention of the Postmaster General has been called to the case of Miss Maxted, but the facts are not as represented by the hon. Member. Miss Maxted was not pronounced healthy and strong six months ago; on the contrary, the Medical Officer who examined her reported that she was not strong, and was suffering from an enlargement of the superficial cervical glands of the neck. The cause of her death is certified to have been Lymphadenoma (Hodgkin's disease), and as a secondary cause Dermato Melasma suprarenale (Addison's disease), and neither of these resulted from the re-vaccination. Revaccination as a condition of appointment in the Post Office is enforced, not by statute, but by Post Office Regulation. The Regulation has been in force since 1863, and, in view of the remark- 874 able immunity from small pox enjoyed by Post Office servants under this Regulation, it is not proposed to alter it.
§ MR. CHANNINGI beg to give notice that in consequence of the reply of the Secretary to the Treasury I shall draw attention to this Question on the Estimates.