§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAMasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Local Government Board (Ireland) 1237W sent a letter to the Athy Board of Guardians in reference to their proceedings of 17th April, 1912; that in that letter the Local Government Board assert that pure vaccine lymph is supplied from their vaccine department to the medical officers of the various unions; whether such letter was issued with his sanction; and whether he is prepared to guarantee the purity of the vaccine issued in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe facts generally are as stated in the question. The Local Government Board's bacteriologist, before certifying that the glycerinated calf lymph prepared at the National Vaccine Institute is fit for use, satisfies himself as to its absolute purity and freedom from harmful germs, and the Board are thus in a position to guarantee the purity of the lymph distributed to medical officers for public vaccinations in Ireland.