HC Deb 11 February 1913 vol 48 cc739-40W
Mr. THOMAS

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that in Derby, Leicester, and other towns, for many years past less than 10 Per cent. of the children born have been vaccinated; that the inhabitants have not suffered in any special degree from smallpox in consequence of this neglect of vaccination, but that concurrently with decreased vaccination both the general death-rate and the infantile mortality have materially declined; and whether he is now prepared to recommend the Government to bring in a Bill for the repeal of the penal Clauses of the Vaccination Acts?

Mr. BURNS

I am aware that there has been a considerable increase in the number of exemptions from vaccination and that there has not been any corresponding increase in small-pox. I cannot, however, undertake to recommend legislation of the kind suggested by my hon. Friend at the present time.