HC Deb 12 February 1934 vol 285 cc1587-8
48. Mr. GROVES

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken by the inspectors of his Department to ensure that persons committed to prison for matters connected with the Vaccination Acts are treated as first-class misdemeanants as required by Section 5 of the Vaccination Act, 1898?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Douglas Hacking)

Governors of prisons have standing instructions to give effect to this requirement of Section 5 of the Vaccination Act, 1898. Committals are rare, and no special steps are taken in the matter by inspectors of prisons, but I have no reason to suppose that Prison Governors fail to observe the instructions. If the hon. Member has any information to the contrary and will communicate it to me, I shall be glad to make inquiry.

Mr. GROVES

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his reply, and I will take advantage of his offer.