§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the inspector of the Local Government Board who interviewed the Bedford Board of Guardians on the 23rd August last with regard to the loss of fees sustained by the vaccination officer in that union in consequence of the Vaccination Act and Order, 1907, was able to show to the members of that board that the officer's loss up to that date, not including the gratuity of £15 that he had received, amounted to £91; whether the Local Government Board have refused to sanction further gratuities which this board were willing to pay to their officer; whether the Local Government Board suggested to this board of guardians that they should pay to this officer a fixed salary of £100 a year in addition to a gratuity; if so, what was there in the inspector's report for him to 1299W come to the conclusion that no further action on his part was called for; whether he is aware that this officer's income in the year 1905 was £120 9s. and for the year 1911 was only £60 9s., and up to September last for the nine months amounted to only £44 10s. 6d.; whether, in consequence of this officer's loss of £140 up to Christmas, 1911, he is aware that this officer is in very serious difficulties; and, if so, whether he will give this case further consideration?
§ Mr. BURNSThe facts are generally as stated in the question, but the officer's income in 1905 was above the normal, and his average annual receipts for the years 1903–7 were about £101. The guardians objected to pay the compensation suggested by the Board because they contended that the work of the office of vaccination officer did not occupy the officer's whole time, and I sent my inspector to ascertain whether this was so. He came to the conclusion that it was not necessary that the vaccination officer should give his whole time to the work of that office in this union.