§ MR. LUPTONI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the epidemic of small-pox in Germany and the probable derivation of vaccine from variolous matter in 699 that country, he will take steps to prohibit the importation of vaccine from the Continent into England during such time as the epidemic may continue.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) BatterseaI have no information as to there being an epidemic of smallpox in Germany, though I am aware that there has been some prevalence of the disease on the frontier at Metz. I have no authority to prohibit the importation of lymph from the Continent, and I may add that I understand that any vaccine of variolous origin which is current in Germany and which is liable to be imported into this country would have been frequently passed through the calf.
§ MR. LUPTONIs not Metz in Germany?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSYes.
§ MR. LUPTONWill the right hon. Gentleman send a Commission to inquire into the facts?
§ [No Answer was given.]