§ * MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to 634 the case of Mr. Joseph Slack, of Harringay, who was summoned before the Highgate bench of magistrates on three separate occasions for refusing to have his child vaccinated, he declaring on each occasion that he held conscientious objections to vaccination; and whether he will take action to compel the authorities to give that relief to conscientious objectors which the Act contemplates, and put a stop to repeated prosecutions.
§ * MR. GLADSTONEMy attention has not been called to the case mentioned by the hon. Member. In 1904 a circular was sent to magistrates drawing attention to remarks made by the Lord Chief Justice on the proper interpretation of the section, but as the law stands I have no power to interfere with the discretion given to the justices in the matter of certificates of conscientious objection nor with repeated prosecutions.