§ MR. PRICE (Norfolk, Mid.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a case at the Norwich Shirehall Police Court, on Saturday, the 8th instant, when the Bench decided that they would, only grant a certificate of exemption from vaccination on the production of a medical certificate that the vaccination was likely to be prejudicial to the health of the child; and whether, having regard to the provisions of the Act with respect to exemptions, he will state what steps he proposes to take.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)I have made inquiries, and am informed that the Justices for the Taverham Division of Norfolk were not satisfied in the particular case referred to that the applicant's objection applied to the child in question, and suggested that further evidence such as that of a medical certificate might be more satisfactory. I do not find that they have decided that the production of any such collateral evidence is in all cases a necessary condition of granting a certificate. There are no steps for me to take in the matter.
§ MR. PRICEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that according to the report the clerk to the Magistrates gave it out officially as the requirement of the Justices?
§ *MR. RITCHIEI have communicated with the Magistrates, and the result I have given the hon. Gentleman. I know no more.