§ Mr. Viantasked the Secretary of State for War whether any other soldiers on the Anzio beach-head refused to be vaccinated at the time Major Carson forcibly vaccinated Private Butler; and whether any of them were also forcibly vaccinated.
§ Sir J. GriggApart from Private Butler I only know of one man who refused to be vaccinated on this occasion. He had conscientious objections and was not vaccinated.
§ Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider making a King's Regulation prohibiting the vaccination or inoculation by force of any member of His Majesty's Forces and the imposition of any punishment or disability on men who exercise their right to object to these operations.
§ Sir J. GriggKing's Regulations lay down that inoculation against tetanus and the enteric group or fevers is voluntary and the Manual of Military Law states that a soldier cannot be punished for disobedience of an order to be vaccinated or for refusing to be inoculated. This is well understood, and I am not aware of any need for further regulations.