MR. LEHMAXN (Leicestershire, Market Harborough)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Spencer Bray, J. J. Vann, and S. Bruin, of Blaby, in Leicestershire, were on Monday last committed to Leicester Gaol, the first two for seven days and the last for fourteen days, on orders under Section 31 of The Vaccination Act, 1867; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps to alter the law so as to make such imprisonments impossible in future.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) BatterseaMy right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. I have no information as to the particular cases referred to; but I may point out that a parent would not be liable to any penalty under the Vaccination Acts for the non-vaccination of his child if he had obtained a certificate of conscientious objection under Section 4 of the Act of 1898. I am aware that the procedure with regard to obtaining such a certificate is not altogether satisfactory, and I am considering whether some alteration might not properly be made in the law with regard to the matter.