§ 71. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Health whether he can give the House any information as to the progressive increase of small-pox in this country since the War; and whether such increase coincides with a like increase in the number of persons who are not protected by vaccination?
§ Sir K. WOODThe number of cases of small-pox in England and Wales has increased from 311 in 1919 to approximately 5,300 in 1925. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the number of persons who are not protected by vaccination, but there can be little doubt that it has been steadily increasing since the War, although it is generally found that considerable numbers of persons present themselves for vaccination when any serious outbreak of small-pox takes place.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill my hon. Friend say whether the Ministry proposes 1536 to issue a circular leaflet or something of the kind, urging upon the public the desirability of protecting themselves from small-pox by vaccination, in view of the startling figures which he has just given?
§ Sir K. WOODMy hon. Friend knows that the Minister of Health has repeatedly in this House given advice with reference to vaccination. I will put before him the suggestion of my hon. Friend.
§ Sir H. CRAIKDoes the Minister not think that the time has come to take steps by legislative force for protecting the people from the spread of a practice which is dangerous to the whole community?
§ Mr. AMMONWould the hon. Gentleman say whether the great increase of small-pox is not in that area in Durham which has been afflicted by the recent economic trouble?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Health gave the figures the other day, and no one should be under the misapprehension that the industrial dispute in that area had anything to do with the prevalence of smallpox.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it not a fact that in the whole of these districts very great poverty and want have been experienced, and that small-pox, like any other disease, grows in intensity according to the poverty of the people it attacks?
§ Sir K. WOODThe hon. Gentleman knows, from the figures that were given to him the other day, that in the particular districts concerned, there was a smaller number of small-pox cases than in other districts where there was less unemployment.
§ Mr. LANSBURYIs it not a fact that the whole of the county of Durham is suffering from very severe unemployment?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, but in the particular districts affected by unemployment the small-pox was less than in other districts.