§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that one of his predecessors, in receiving a deputation of persons favouring an efficient system of revaccination, agreed that vaccination in infancy unless repeated at proper intervals was not a certain safeguard; and whether, as deaths from small-pox have decreased proportionately with the diminution in the percentage of primary vaccinations, he will consider the repeal of the vaccination laws altogether?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend cannot trace any record of the deputation to which the hon. Member refers, but he is in agreement with the statement attributed to one of his predecessors. My right hon. Friend is not aware that any proportion can be traced between the rate of decline of deaths from small-pox and the diminution in the percentage of primary vaccination, and he does not propose to adopt the course suggested.