87. Mr. Braddockasked the Minister of Health whether the R.A.M.C. officer at Hampstead, who gave his wife and daughter smallpox infection, had been vaccinated; whether the R.A.M.C. sick- berth attendant who infected his nephew with smallpox at Grays had been vaccinated; and whether the three cases of infection which developed from these two members of the R.A.M.C. were vaccinated persons.
§ Mr. BevanI understand that all the persons mentioned had been vaccinated at some time, although the dates of last vaccination varied considerably—as did the severity of the attacks.
88. Mr. Braddockasked the Minister of Health whether he can give an assurance that the passengers on board the s.s. "Empress of India "were in formed that vaccination of smallpox contacts is a voluntary matter, and can be accepted or rejected by the passengers as they think fit.
§ Mr. BevanI assume the ship referred to is the "Empress of Australia." I am informed that vaccination of contacts was carried out at Suez, and I have no information on the point put by my hon. Friend.
89. Mr. Braddockasked the Minister of Health how many cases of smallpox have been landed in the Mersey from a ship arriving from India; how many of the crew developed smallpox and were put ashore at Suez; and what was the vaccinal condition of the cases of smallpox that developed in this ship.
§ Mr. BevanI assume the ship referred to is the "Empress of Australia." I am118W informed that one case of smallpox (a member of the crew) was landed at Liverpool on 18th February, 1946; no member of the crew developed smallpox and was put ashore at Suez, but two cases and one suspected case (not members of the crew) were landed there. I have no information as to the vaccinal condition of the patients landed at Suez, but I am informed that the patient landed at Liverpool was vaccinated in infancy, and had been revaccinated several times during the war but without the vaccination taking.