§ Mr. Viantasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that medical officers in a number of regiments are threatening soldiers with penalties if they refuse to be vaccinated or inoculated and that, in some regiments, objectors are being made to sign forms stating that they object, and that if they become ill of any disease against which inoculation is aimed they will lose the allowance to their dependants and any pension that might be due to them; and whether, in view of the strong feeling aroused by this illegal action, he will circularise all commands and point out that every soldier has a right to refuse vaccination and inoculation and cannot be penalised for his refusal?
§ Captain MargessonI have no information to the effect suggested in the Question. Existing instructions on the subject are quite clear, and I do not think further instructions are necessary.