§ 84. Dr. M'DONALDasked the Minister of Health if he will reconsider his decision to abolish compulsory notification of measles in consideration of the fact that the nation has not yet fully recognised the grave complications resulting from this malady?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe effect of the recent Circular and Order of the Ministry, to which the question refers, is not quite that which is stated in the question. Any local authority which thinks it expedient and makes effective provision to meet the circumstances can continue, or adopt, the notification referred to; but experience has shown that a universally enforced arrangement does not have any sufficiently beneficial results, in the absence of such provision, to justify the great expense entailed. The change was adopted after full consideration, and consultation with persons of wide experience of the problem; and I am satisfied that the steps indicated in the Circular (of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy) will be more effective for the purpose which he, like the Ministry, has in view than the Alternative which he suggests.