§ SIR CHARLES M'LAREN (Leicestershire, Bosworth)To ask the President of the Local Government Board if his attention has been called to representations of the Hinckley Guardians as to the state of the law as to the control of vaccination officers; and whether he will take steps to prevent these officials engaging legal advisers without consultation with or the consent of the guardians.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) My attention has been called to representations made, by the guardians on the subject. As regards the last part of the Question, I must point out that the duty of the vaccination officer to take proceedings in cases of default is quits independent of any directions from the guardians. In cases where the guardians are opposed to the enforcement of the Vaccination Acts it would obviously be impossible for the vaccination officer to carry out the duty referred to if he had to obtain the consent of the guardians to the legal assistance which was requisite for the purpose; and I am advised that it is a necessary incident of the statutory duty of the vaccination officer that he should have authority to engage legal assistance where this is required.