§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to cases where a vaccination officer has suffered loss of income in consequence of the increase of exemptions from vaccination, and has not been awarded any compensation by the board of guardians; and whether, in view of the fact that the Vaccination Act and Order, 1907, imposes additional work on the vaccination officers, the President of the Local Government Board will see that such officers shall at any rate not suffer 15 any loss of income; and whether, to secure that object, he will take steps to ensure that the vaccination officers shall be paid a fee for sending out the notices known as Form Q, and also for recording certificates of postponement, as recommended by the Departmental Committee on vaccination expenses, or shall be otherwise remunerated so as to avoid loss of income?
§ Mr. BURNSMy attention has frequently been drawn to these matters, and I have explained, in replies to questions on 14th March and the 3rd and 5th instant, the steps which have been taken to meet cases of hardship.
§ Mr. BUTCHERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the representative of the Government in another place, during the Debate on the Vaccination Act of 1907, stated it was not anticipated there would be any material increase in the number of exemptions?
§ Mr. BUTCHERInasmuch as there has been a material increase in exemptions, and in view of the diminution in fees to vaccination officers, could not the right hon. Gentleman see his way to relieving them of the loss?
§ Mr. BURNSThese officers are paid by fees: they are officers of the guardians. I am persuading a large number of guardians to meet them.
§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEIs it not undesirable that some vaccination officers should be paid more than others? Is it not desirable that there should be a uniform rate?