§ 37. Mr. YEOasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that more than half the children born in England and Wales are now escaping vaccination, and that small-pox has been almost entirely absent since the passing of the Vaccination Act, 1907; and, if so, whether he will consider the desirability of arranging that vaccination should now be entirely voluntary?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Samuel)The statements in the first part of the question are substantially correct, except that there was no marked change in the number of deaths from small-pox following upon the passing of the Vaccination Act, 1907. It is not the intention of the Government to introduce legislation on the subject.