HC Deb 23 February 1932 vol 262 cc214-6
66. Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health whether any examinations have been made by his medical officials in regard to the nature and size of the scars produced by the new method of vaccination adopted on the 1st October, 1929; and, if so, with what result?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. My right hon. Friend is advised that the nature and size of the scars are such as may be expected from the method of vaccination employed, and have not called for comment by his medical officers.

Mr. GROVES

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether his Department is satisfied with the results?

Mr. BROWN

The answer is that there have been no results to call for any comment by the advisers.

67. Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of, and deaths from, post-vaccinal encephalitis or other disease of the central nervous system following vaccination have been brought to the notice of his Department since the adoption of the new vaccination regulations on the 1st October, 1929?

Mr. E. BROWN

Since the 1st October, 1929, 38 cases of suspected disease of the central nervous system following vaccination, including suspected cases of post-vaccinal encephalitis, have come to the notice of my Department. Enquiries showed that in at least five of these cases the suspicion could not be verified. In 18 cases vaccination had been followed within a short period by the occurrence of a disease of the central nervous system without there being any reason to associate this disease with the antecedent vaccination. Of these 13 were fatal. There remain 15 cases in which the occurrence of post-vaccinal encephalitis was definitely established and of these eight proved fatal.

Mr. GROVES

In view of these very alarming figures, can the hon. Gentleman say whether he is not prepared to appoint a committee to consider the abolition of vaccination?

Mr. BROWN

I should like to refer my hon. Friend to a report, No. 62—

Mr. GROVES

I have read it.

Mr. BROWN

Then the hon. Member will know that that report does discuss this question at very great length.

Viscountess ASTOR

Will the hon. Gentleman consider not compelling people to be vaccinated?

Mr. BROWN

That is an irrelevant issue to this question.

68. Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health whether, in connection with the recent prevalence of mild small-pox in certain areas in England and Wales, evidence has been obtained as to what relation the incidence of the disease bears to the regularity or otherwise of vaccination in the counties affected; and what reports have been received from his medical officials with regard to this circumstance?

Mr. E. BROWN

This question is discussed on pages 49 and 50 of the report on certain aspects of small-pox prevention which was published last year. My right hon. Friend has received no more recent report on the subject.