HC Deb 17 November 1914 vol 68 cc318-9
32. Mr. BRACE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if a general order is in operation that all recruits for the Army at present being recruited must undergo compulsory vaccination or compulcory inoculation; if he is aware that a number of would-be recruits are hesitating to enlist because of their objection to this; and is he prepared to take some action, and, if so, what, to remove this difficulty to recruiting for the Army the nation is now calling for?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Tennant)

I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Shoreditch. I would add that inoculation against enteric fever is not compulsory.

Mr. BRACE

Do I understand that soldiers may go to France or Belgium and fight in the ranks although they may have conscientious objections to being vaccinated or inoculated?

Mr. TENNANT

Yes, Sir.