HC Deb 29 March 1905 vol 143 cc1539-40
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, seeing that candidates for the public service are not allowed to take up appointments unless they have been vaccinated, and that this regulation penalises candidates who have a conscientious objection to vaccination, will he take such steps as may be necessary to enable such candidates to obtain exemption from the rule enforcing vaccination.

THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,E.) Manchester,

I cannot quite understand the use of the word conscientious in the Question. I do not see how anybody can conscientiously object to being vaccinated.

MR. WEIR

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman understand that I may have a conscience, and in my conscience I may object?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I can understand an objection to being vaccinated, just as I can understand objection to sleeping in an insanitary room; but the objection is not a conscientious one; it has nothing to do with conscience.

MR. WEIR

I will furnish the right hon. Gentleman with the case of one person who has a conscience.