§ MR. GEORGE WHITETo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention has been called to the case of Sydney Ed. Pratt who, on Monday the 21st instant, was prosecuted before the Bench at Grimston, Norfolk, for failing to have his child vaccinated, and fined 10s. and 12s. 6d. costs, though he had on two occasions appeared before the same Bench asking 124 for a certificate of exemption on conscientious grounds; and will he say whether he is prepared to promote legislation to deal with such cases.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Ritchie.) If, as would appear from the Question, the defendant had not established his claim to a certificate of exemption, it is not clear on what grounds it can be suggested that the conviction was wrong, or that any action on my part is called for.