§ 75. Mr. YEOasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in order to force inoculation upon officers who object, threats are being used that they will be brought before the general officer commanding and prevented from going to the front until inoculated; whether non-commissioned officers and privates are being refused leave or only granted passes for one night, which in many cases barely gives time to go and return, whilst inoculated men in the same companies are granted several days' leave; and whether it is the settled policy of the War Office to hinder recruiting by treating as a crime and punishing officers and men in the way described for the exercise of a legal right?
§ Mr. TENNANTAs regards the first parts of the question, there is no authority for treating men who refuse to be inoculated in the manner suggested. As regards the second part, my hon. Friend will find that I explained the position in a reply given to the hon. Member for Haggerston on Wednesday last. The inoculated men receiving leave will, as a rule, be those going to the front, and as they are going to face the risks of being killed or wounded it is right that they should have every facility for seeing their families before they go. It is the policy of the War Office to encourage recruiting by protecting the health of officers and men against enteric fever by means of inoculation.
§ Mr. YEODoes the right hon. Gentleman admit it is the duty of the War Office to prevent officers and men being threatened and persecuted while they still have the option of exercising a legal right—until, at any rate, the House decides that inoculation shall be compulsory or otherwise?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe instructions issued by the War Office are that as many men shall be inoculated as can be. We have never disguised our opinion that it is in the interests of the troops that they should be inoculated in as large numbers as possible, and if occasional pressure is brought to bear it is ultra vires and is much to be regretted, but I dare say the House will understand meanwhile that it is due to the zeal of the commanding officer and his desire to safeguard the health of the troops.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman take into serious consideration the advantage of putting an end to this controversy by making it compulsory for all men to be inoculated before proceeding to the front?
§ Mr. TENNANTWhatever may be done in the future, I would remind the hon. Gentleman and the House that it would be absolutely impossible to make a retrospective order.
§ Mr. WALTER LONGCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how soon the War Office hope to be able to make the announcement which he indicated that they were considering about six weeks ago in regard to their policy in connection with inoculation?
§ Mr. TENNANTI can only say in answer to the right hon. Gentleman that the scheme as it exists at present under the voluntary system is being very carefully watched, and until we have more to go upon I do not think any announcement would be possible.
§ 90. Mr. JOWETTasked what is the cost, per man inoculated, of the vaccine used in the two doses claimed to be necessary to ensure immunity from typhoid?
Mr. BAKERThe cost of production of Army vaccine in the laboratory of the Royal Army Medical College is estimated to be 1½d per double dose per man.
§ 91. Mr. JOWETTasked under what conditions the vaccine against typhoid used in the Army is obtained; whether it is produced by the Government or purchased; and, if purchased, from what sources of supply and at what cost?
Mr. BAKERThe anti-typhoid vaccine used in the Army is made in the laboratory of the Royal Army Medical College, but since the outbreak of the War the 1754 Inoculation Department of St. Mary's Hospital and the Lister Institute have provided the Army Medical Department with a large quantity of this vaccine at cost price, as the output from the College was insufficient to supply the increased number of troops.
§ 92. Mr. JOWETTasked if any fees or other remuneration beyond the salaries of Army medical officers are paid for inoculation or vaccination against typhoid; and, if so, what is the rate of payment for each case?