HC Deb 25 March 1898 vol 55 cc899-900
MR. J.W. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)

I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether, in the event of the Vaccination Bill recently read the first time becoming law, the maximum period during which a child may remain unvaccinated will be longer in England than it is in Scotland; and whether he will introduce at an early date a Scotch Bill dealing with this subject?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. GRAHAM MURRAY,) Buteshire

The hon. Member has correctly stated the possible effect of the Vaccination Bill to which he refers. The maximum period in Scotland, as he is no doubt aware, is six months, but with a power to the medical officer, if the child be not in a fit state for vaccination, to extend the period by means of a certificate to be in force and renewable thereafter for a further period of two months. Also, in insular, Highland, and other districts, certain provisions of the Act may be modified, with approval of the Lord Advocate. This system has hitherto worked successfully, and there seems no necessity, so far as Scotland is concerned, for any legislation.