§ MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks made by Mr. Hutton, one of the London police magistrates, in connection with a case in which a father, who was summoned before him on 24th October last for the non-vaccination of his child, pleaded a conscientious objection, to the effect that the legislature did not give the magistrates power of exemption when a conscientious scruple is pleaded on a summons; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing a Bill giving magistrates that power.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have seen a newspaper report of the case 2058 mentioned. As my hon. friend is aware, a parent who conscientiously believes, that vaccination would be injurious to his child can obtain exemption by making a statutory declaration within four months of the birth of the child. I do not propose to introduce further legislation on the subject.