§ Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the inquest on Philomena King, aged six months, of Rollins Villas, Dun Laoghaire, who was immunised against diphtheria on 10th May, became ill on nth May, was sent to St. Michael's Hospital on 17th May, and died on 20th May; whether he is aware that the coroner recorded a verdict of tubercular meningitis, and said he was not quite satisfied that the child's death was not accelerated by immunisation; that Dr. Michael O'Connor, of St. Michael's Hospital, giving evidence at the inquest on this child, stated that they had had a number of cases of patients following immunisation; that a number of cases have occurred in England where tubercular trouble has followed immunisation against diphtheria; and whether, in view of these serious possibilities, he will stop the campaign in favour of immunisation until more definite information is received on the subject?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have no information about the inquest referred to concerning the death of a child in Eire. There is no evidence that cases have occurred in England in which tubercular trouble has resulted from immunisation against diphtheria, or even that this has at any time been alleged. The answer to the last part of the Question is No.