§ MR. CHANNING (Northamptonshire, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the action of the medical officer of St. Pancras Workhouse in insisting on re-vaccinating children or young persons between ten and fourteen years of age without any application by them or their parents to the medical officer to re-vaccinate; and whether this procedure is in accordance with the Vaccination Order of October, 1898, having regard to the language of Section 3 of Schedule 2 of that Order.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. CHAPLIN, Lincolnshire, Sleaford)I understand from the medical officer of the workhouse that in the great majority of cases the consent of the parent is obtained; but there are some instances where this consent is not obtainable, as, for example, when the parents are dead, or are insane, or have deserted their children. I am not, however, fully informed of the practice of the medical officer in the matter referred to: but I find that the visiting committee of the workhouse have appointed a sub- committee to inquire generally into the practice of the medical officer as regards vaccination and re-vaccination, and I have requested that a copy of the report of this sub-committee may be forwarded to me. On receipt of it I will consider whether any action on my part is necessary.
§ MR. CHANNINGMay I take it that that conveys the answer to the second part of the question?
§ MR. CHAPLINYes, Sir; you may take it as covering the whole.