§ Mr. LUPTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will abandon the practice of making revaccination compulsory for candidates for employment in the dockyard, having regard to the statement by the Royal Commissioners on Vaccination, in their Final Report, paragraph 419, that the occurrence of a febrile illness is the desired result of vaccination, and that it is sometimes attended by eruption?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am considering the conditions under which vaccination on entry in the dockyards is made compulsory; but, in view of the difficulties of consultation during the period of the year ordinarily devoted to holidays, I am unable to promise my hon. Friend any early conclusions.
Sir GILBERT PARKERDo we understand that the Admiralty are considering the abolition of vaccination?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir; I cannot go beyond what I have actually said—I have been considering the conditions under which vaccination on entering the dockyards is made compulsory.
§ Mr. LUPTONThe right hon. Gentleman will be aware that already some of the Government Departments have relaxed their old-fashioned rules?
§ Mr. McKENNAYes; I believe that in certain Government Departments the question has been brought up for special consideration.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LYNCHWould the right hon. Gentleman be favourable to the appointment of a Special Commission to reconsider the whole question of vaccination?
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not think that would apply particularly to the Admiralty.