§ Mr. RAMSAY MACDONALDasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that over one and a half million children were legally exempted from vaccination during the eight years 1906–13; whether there has been a concurrent and marked diminution in the cases of, and death from, small-pox; whether he is advised that such diminution is due to the progress of sanitation or to the decrease of vaccination; and, if he is not so advised, will he state what other cause or causes for it are alleged?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The other parts raise large and controversial issues which cannot properly be dealt with within the limits of a Parliamentary reply.
§ Mr. MALCOLMasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that one gentleman is registrar of births and vaccination officer for the Mitcham subdistrict of the Croydon Union and that on the vaccination schedule issued to parents by the registrar is printed a list of the names and addresses of the public vaccinators as well as other information; whether this form is similar to those issued by the Board or has their consent to the publication of its contents been obtained; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe form in question is similar to that issued by the Local Government Board with the addi-1588W tion of the names and addresses referred to. I see no objection to the names and addresses being printed on the form, and I understand that it is a common and convenient practice to do so.