HC Deb 14 March 1911 vol 22 cc2204-6W
Mr. STAVELEY-HILL

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the official information in the hands of the Board shows that the spread of small-pox can be most effectively prevented by vaccination; whether it is the duty of Boards of Guardians, in whose areas the disease appears, to take prompt measures, so far as the law allow, to secure the vaccination or re-vaccination of all persons exposed to the danger of infection; and what action the Board are taking in view of the present outbreak?

Mr. BURNS

Small-pox is a contagious disease, and the most effective means of preventing its pread from the person attacked consist in removing the patient to a place of isolation and surrounding him by protected persons. Statistics relating to vaccination and small-pox obtained by my Department are published, and I do not think it necessary for me to attempt to interpret them. Boards of Guardians are empowered by Section 28 of the Vaccination Act, 1867, to pay reasonable expenses incurred by them in taking measures to promote vaccination upon any actual or expected outbreak of small-pox. My officers have visited the districts in London recently affected by small-pox, and have conferred with the officials of the authorities as to the measures to be taken.

Mr. STAVELEY-HILL

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether Boards of Guardians have been advised that vaccination officers should receive gratuities in respect of the reduction in their income by the operation of the Vaccination Act, 1907; that such gratuities should be calculated on the difference in earnings at the present time and the average earnings during the years 1903–7; and that where the deficiency was likely to be permanent it was desirable to bring the officer's income to the former standard by increasing his fees; whether he has received any complaints and, if so, how many from vaccination officers to the effect that their Boards of Guardians have declined to follow this course; and what action he has taken in the matter?

Mr. BURNS

The Local Government Board have not taken any general action in regard to loss of income sustained by vaccination officers since the operation of the Vaccination Act, 1907. In many cases boards of guardians have awarded gratuities to their vaccination officers to meet the deficiencies in their incomes. The Board have sanctioned gratuities to meet the loss of income in the past and have suggested to the guardians that where the deficiency was likely to be permanent the officers' fees should be increased. Many boards of guardians have adopted this suggestion, and the Board have sanctioned increased fees. In some cases vaccination officers have informed the Board of the loss they have sustained and that their guardians have not taken any steps to make up the deficiency. In these cases the Board have written to the guardians setting out the average earnings of the vaccination officers in 1903–7 and the earnings since, and have suggested to the guardians that they should award gratuities based on the figures given and increase the officers' fees. Some boards of guardians have adopted the Board's suggestion, but others have declined to take any action. There are about twenty-five of the latter cases.

Mr. STAVELEY-HILL

asked what was the number of certificates of conscientious objection to vaccination received by the vaccination officers in respect of children whose births were registered during 1906, the number of statutory declarations of conscientious objection to vaccination received by the vaccination officers in respect of children whose births were registered during 1909, and the number, irrespective of the dates of the birth of the children whom they concern, in the years 1907 to 1910 respectively?

Mr. BURNS

The number of certificates of conscientious objection to vaccination received by the vaccination officers in respect of children whose births were registered during 1906 is 53,828. The numbers of certificates actually received in the years 1907–9 and in the first half of 1910, irrespective of the dates of the birth of the children, were:—1907, 57,675; 1908, 162,799; 1909, 190,689; 1910 (first half), 110,851. The others figures desired by the hon. Member are not yet available

Mr. STAVELEY-HILL

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has at any time allowed boards of guardians to pay a fee to their vaccination officers for each statutory declaration of objection to vaccination received by them; and, if so, whether he will give the names of these boards of guardians and state whether their officers are still receiving such fees?

Mr. BURNS

The answer is in the negative.

Mr. STAVELEY-HILL

asked what were the areas in which cases of small-pox have been notified since January, 1911, and the number of such cases?

Mr. BURNS

The following list shows the counties in which cases of small-pox have been notified since January, 1911, and the number of cases notified in each:—Cheshire, eight; Durham, thirteen; Essex, two; Glamorgan, one; Hertfordshire, one; Lancashire, twenty-six; London, fifty-eight; Middlesex, one; Norfolk, eight. Total, 118.