§ MR. RUNCIMAN (Dewsbury)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received any protests against the amount of the minimum fees payable to public vaccinators under the Vaccination Order of the Local Government Board of 1898; whether he is aware that in the Gateshead Union there were, during the four years previous to the passing of the Act, 6,378 primary and 230 re-vaccinations by public vaccinators, in respect to which fees were paid amounting to £753 12s. 6d., and during the four years since the passing of the Act there have been 10,574 primary vaccinations and 1,048 re-vaccinations by public vaccinators, fees paid to them amounting to £3,637 5s. 6d.; whether a Departmental Committee, which was appointed to inquire into and report on the subject of the costs and expenses borne by Poor Law guardians in connection with vaccination, has yet completed its inquiry; and, if so, whether any suggestion has been made likely to abate the burden imposed on boards of guardians by the existing fees.
(Answered by Mr. Waller Long.) I have received representations on the subject of the fees payable to public vaccinators, and I am aware of the fees paid in the case of the Gateshead Union. It was in consequence of the representations made to me that I appointed the Departmental Committee referred to in the Question. The Committee have now made their Report and their recommendations are receiving my consideration.