HC Deb 05 April 1905 vol 144 c471
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that candidates for the public service are not allowed to take up appointments unless they have been vaccinated; and, seeing that this regulation penalises candidates who object to vaccination, will he so amend the regulations as to make it competent for such persons to secure their appointments. I hope the Question is now in the understanding of the right hon. Gentleman.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Oh, yes, Sir; I have always understood the hon. Gentleman's Questions on this subject, but I have had some doubts as to whether he always understood my Answers. All I can say in reply to the hon. Geatleman's Question is that, in the opinion of the authorities, vaccination is a surgical or medical operation which ought to be performed. Until that decision is reversed, I do not see any reason for altering the rule which at present exists in the Civil Service.

MR. WEIR

Then will the right hon. Gentleman induce the Local Government Board to see that a supply of pure glycerinated calf lymph is afforded to every medical man?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I believe that is being done.

MR. WEIR

It is not.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

At any rate, the supply of pure vaccine lymph is quite sufficient for the Civil Service.