HC Deb 13 March 1911 vol 22 cc1840-1
Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he could state the number of public vaccinators who had been appointed as medical inspectors for elementary schools under the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act by local education authorities; and whether the Local Government Board agreed that these two offices should be held by the same person?

Mr. BURNS

I cannot state the number of public vaccinators who have been appointed as medical inspectors of school children. The Local Government Board have stated that both they and the Board of Education consider that the office of medical inspector of school children may, with advantage, be combined with the office of medical officer of health in a county district, and that, amongst the other public offices which a medical officer of health may be allowed to hold, is that of public vaccinator.

Dr. HILLIER

asked whether, in view of the recent outbreak of small-pox, and the continued increase in the numbers of children exempted from vaccination, he will give instructions to have issued with the vaccination notices a circular pointing out the value of vaccination as a means of preventing the contraction of small-pox?

Mr. BURNS

The suggestion made by the hon. Member is not one which I am able to adopt.

Dr. HILLIER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the present moment in many localities fifty per cent. of the children are being exempted from vaccination?

Mr. BURNS

I am aware that exemption from vaccination is on the increase, but I do not know one case of fifty per cent.

Dr. HILLIER

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any steps to remedy that state of affairs?