§ 61. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether, in the case of children in London County Council institutions who have no parents, immunisation against diphtheria is performed on the direction of the Public Health Committee 527 of the London County Council; and, if not, what is the position of such children in relation to this immunisation?
Sir H. YOUNGI am informed that this form of preventive treatment is not applied to children in these institutions without the written consent of a parent or guardian, and that authority to give such consent on the part of the County Council, when they are in the position of parent or guardian, is delegated to the Education Officer.
§ 52. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether the consent of all the parents of children immunised against measles in London County Council hospitals was obtained before such immunisation was performed?
Sir H. YOUNGIt is generally recognised that the parents' consent must be obtained whenever practicable, but I am informed that this course is not always feasible. It will be understood that if this form of preventive treatment (which is used only in emergencies) is to be efficacious, it must be applied promptly.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that children in open-air nursery schools seldom get measles, and, if they do, they never die?