§ Mr. BLACKasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the Ordinance of 4th December, 1923, for St. Lucia, giving the Governor-in-Council power to make regulations for making it compulsory for all persons to be vaccinated, and fixing the penalty for contravening such regulations at a fine of £50 or six months' imprisonment, with a fine of £1 per day or 14 days' imprisonment for every day during which the offence continues; whether he is aware that the district registrar of births and deaths has already taken proceedings against delinquents under the Vaccination Ordinance; and whether, in view of the right of the citizens of St. Lucia to exemption from penalties on conscientious grounds, as in Great Britain, he will forthwith amend the Ordinance so as to allow exemption 2274W to all conscientious objectors to vaccination on their making a statutory declaration of such objection?
Mr. THOMASI am aware of the provisions to which the hon. Member refers, but I have no information as to any proceedings taken under the Ordinance. The Governor will, however, be asked for a report on the matter; and, in the meantime, I am unable to form an opinion whether any amendment of the Ordinance or Regulations is necessary or desirable.