§ MR. LUPTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of Mr. J. L. Honey wood, who was fined on 13th February at the Barnet police court, 20s. and costs, or fourteen days in default of distress, for refusing to vaccinate his child, notwithstanding that he had applied to the bench for an exemption certificate and had been refused; and if, under the circumstances of the case, he will remit the fine.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have made inquiry, but I am sorry that I cannot interfere in this case. Under the existing law vaccination is compulsory unless a certificate of exemption is obtained within four months of the birth of the child. The fact that an unsuccessful, application for a certificate was made gives no immunity from prosecution, and affords no sufficient ground for a remission of the fine. I hope that Parliament will, at an early date, amend the law on this subject.
§ MR. LUPTONCannot the right hon. Gentleman remit a portion of the fine?
§ MR. GLADSTONENo, Sir, I think not.