§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health how many of the smallpox deaths registered during 1922 were classified as vaccinated, how many as unvaccinated, and how many as doubtful as regards vaccination; and how many of these deaths occurred in children under five years of age?
§ Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAINOf the 27 deaths attributed to small-pox during 1922, 12 occurred in persons who had been vaccinated at some time in their lives, 10 among unvaccinated persons, three among those who were said to have been vaccinated but who showed no signs of vaccination, and two among those previously unvaccinated who were vaccinated during the incubation period of small-pox. There were four deaths among children under five years of age; of these three were unvaccinated and one was vaccinated during the incubation period of small-pox, but had not previously been vaccinated.
§ Mr. EDWARDSasked the Minister of Health, whether he has decided to alter the system of obtaining forms under which exemption from vaccination can be obtained and which has been in force for 15 years; and whether, in view of Section 3 of the Vaccination Act of 1907, he will state his authority for making such order?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the authority for the Vaccination Order recently made is contained in Section 15 of the Vaccination Act, 1871, and I find nothing in the Act of 1907 which prescribes the manner in which forms for the purpose of statutory declarations under that Act are to be obtained.