§ 35. Mr. MILLSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the vaccination officer for the Lewisham district has for some years accepted declarations under the Vaccination Act, 1907, made by mothers who are married women, and has allowed such declarations to cover the fathers of the children in ques- 2227 tion; whether the officer now declines to accept such declarations: and whether he can give any reason for the officer's change of conduct in this matter?
§ Sir A. MONDI have no information as to the action of the vaccination officer in this matter. But I am advised that the obligation to cause a child to be vaccinated is placed on the person having the custody of the child, and, consequently, a declaration made by the mother, under the Vaccination Act, 1907, would not exempt the father from liability if he has the legal custody of the child.