§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the Secretary to the Local Government Board what is the immediate cause of the circular sent out by the Board recently making regulations for medical officers of health to vaccinate-small-pox contacts; what fee is payable 63W to medical officers for this work; whether the council employing the medical officer or the board of guardians entrusted by law with the carrying out of the vaccination system will pay the cost of such vaccinations; and what section of what Act empowers the Board to allow anybody other than a board of guardians to pay for vaccination out of the rates?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERThe reason for making the regulations was that the Local Government Board were advised that it was desirable that further facilities should be provided for securing on the occurrence of any case of small-pox the prompt vacci-64W nation and re-vaccination of persons who have come in contact with the infection. Cases of small-pox are now reported from different parts of Europe, and it is of special importance at the present time to diminish the risk of an outbreak of this disease in this country. The Board stated in the circular sent out with the regulations that in their view a fee of 2s. 6d. should be paid for each vaccination. This fee will be paid by the local authority employing the Medical Officer of Health who performs the vaccination. The Order is made under Section 130 of the Public Health Act, 1875.