§ Mr. WILKIEasked whether the regulations under which children live in barracks with their soldier fathers override the law of the land by requiring the vaccination of such children, irrespective of whether they have been exempted from the operation under Acts of Parliament?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe residence in barracks of the families of soldiers is a privilege, and those granted the privilege must comply with the sanitary regulations for the use of the barracks.
§ Mr. WILKIEasked what danger was feared to anyone at the Tempe barracks by Staff-Quartermaster-sergeant Stickney's healthy children, who had been; legally exempted under the English law, being allowed to remain unvaccinated?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe residence in barracks of families who are unvaccinated is regarded as a danger to the health of the troops quartered there owing to the possible risk of infection. I do not know whether Staff-Quartermaster-sergeant Stickney's children had been legally exempted from vaccination or not, but this would not affect the requirement of vaccination for all persons residing in bar, racks.
§ Mr. J. WARDDo we understand that the War Office think they are above the law of the country?
§ Mr. ACLANDNot at all; but the War Office are responsible for the health of the troops in barracks.
§ Mr. J. WARDEven if they destroy the children in so doing?
§ Mr. W. THORNEDoes the hon. Gentleman think that vaccination is a means of improving the health of the soldiers?
§ Mr. ACLANDIt is certainly a means of preserving the soldiers from the risk of -infection from small-pox.
§ Mr. WILKIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to compensate Staff-Quartermaster-sergeant H. B. Stickney, of the Army Ordnance Corps, for the treatment he has received owing to his justified refusal to have his exempted children vaccinated?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo, Sir. As Mrs. Stickney stated that the children had been successfully vaccinated—which was untrue —and Staff-Quartermaster-sergeant, Stickney undertook in writing to have them vaccinated on board ship—an undertaking which he refused to carry out as soon as the ship had sailed—I cannot consider that his conduct was justified.