§ 22. Mr. DUNNICOasked the Secretary of State for War whether the instructions in regard to vaccination, under which medical officers on duty with troops in India were required to satisfy themselves once in each year that every man, woman and child under their care was sufficiently protected by vaccination, are still in force; and, if so, what explanation have the Army medical authorities to make in regard to the cases of small-pox amongst British troops in India during the years 1920, 1921 and 1922, which are stated to have been vaccinated, or to have been vaccinated unsuccessfully, as recorded in the annual Reports of the Public Health Commissioner with the Government of India for the years in question?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Earl Winterton)I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply. The answer to the first part is in the affirmative. I will send the hon. Member a copy of the current Regulation, which shows that the instructions apply only in regard to persons who consent to be vaccinated. As regards the second part, I have no detailed information beyond that contained in the Reports referred to, which is supplied to the Public Health Commissioner by the Army Medical authorities.
§ Colonel APPLINCan the Noble Lord assure the House that nothing will be done to deprive our men, women and children of this protection?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have not the slightest intention of altering the Regulation in any way.