HC Deb 07 December 1925 vol 189 cc59-60W
Mr. BECKETT

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the complaint of Mr. F. W. Marshall, of 14, Briarwood Avenue, South Gosforth, Northumberland, as to the neglect of the registrar and vaccination officer at Gosforth and Newcastle (Western District), respectively, in the carrying out of the Rules and Regulations provided under the Vaccination Acts, in respect of his child, Frederick William Marshall, born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 6th April, 1925; whether he is aware that the registrar omitted to furnish this parent, at the time he registered the birth, with the form setting forth the requirements as to vaccination; that the vaccination officer omitted to send Form Q, which the Regulations provide shall be sent within three months and seven days after date of birth, but sent, in lieu thereof, a form not provided for by the Regulations and that only after the child had attained the age of four months; and that the declaration of conscientious objection, which was sent in within two days of the receipt of this first intimation of the requirements as to vaccination, was returned as too late; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to see that the vaccination officers in Newcastle union observe the Rules and Regulations provided by his Department for the carrying out of the Vaccination Acts, so that parents in this union may not be denied their statutory right in claiming exemption from the operation?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and I have already admonished the vaccination officer for his neglect of duty in this case.