§ 8. Mr. O'GRADYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the action of the Governor of Bombay in insisting upon the application of compulsory vaccination to the municipal district of Hyderabad, although this has been objected to by the inhabitants at largely attended public meetings; whether he is aware that Sir 1407 A. Godley in July, 1909, declared, on behalf of Lord Morley, that vaccination is not to be made compulsory in any municipality except upon the application of the municipal body, and that compulsion, when applied, has public opinion behind it; and whether, having regard to the effect that this Order has had upon public opinion in the district, representations will be made to the Governor of Bombay to allow the Conscience Clause to operate in the matter of vaccination?
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe Secretary of State has seen a statement in the papers that the Hyderabad municipality has applied to the Bombay Government for the extension of compulsory vaccination to the municipal district, and that a public meeting was held to oppose the extension. The Bombay Government are in a position to judge of the real state of public opinion and of the requirements of the case, but the Secretary of State will send to India my hon. Friend's question and my answer.