Mr. POINTERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that the number of small-pox cases in the Navy has been very small for the last few years, owing to the strict measures of isolation now adopted, and the numerous improvements in the general treatment of the men, he can see his way to extend to naval recruits the same liberty of conscience in regard to vaccination as has already been granted to other branches of the Government services?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs the danger of the spread of infection is very largely increased by the peculiar conditions of life on board ship it is not proposed to relax the present regulations with regard to vaccination.