§ MR. STRACHEY (Somerset, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the objections felt by many medical men at having their patients visited by the public vaccinator, he will take into consideration the desirability of paying for vaccination, by the family medical attendant?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARDI have no information to the effect that objections are felt by many medical men at having their patients visited by the public vaccinator. The duty of the public vaccinator to visit the home of an unvaccinated child does not arise until the child has attained the age of between four and five months, unless the parent requests him to visit the home at an earlier date. There is, therefore, ample opportunity for the private practitioner to perform the operation if it is desired. The suggestion of the honourable Member was fully discussed during the passage of the Bill last year, but was rejected by a majority of more than two to one, and I see no reason for altering that decision now.