§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will supply the following information in respect of each of the States of the Commonwealth of Australia and in respect of New Zealand; whether vaccination is compulsory; the percentage of vaccinations to births for each year during the last 10 years; and the number of deaths from smallpox in each year during the same period?
§ Mr. AMERYWith regard to the first part of the question, from such information as is in my possession, the position in the various States of the Commonwealth and in New Zealand appears to be as follows:
New South Wales.—There is no statutory provision for compulsory vaccination, but public vaccinators are appointed.
Victoria.—Vaccination is compulsory, subject to a "Conscience" Clause.
44WQueensland.—Compulsory vaccination is provided for under Part VII of the Health Act, 1900–1922, but its operation has not been proclaimed.
South Australia.— Compulsory vaccination was suspended in 1917.
Western Australia.—Vaccination is compulsory, subject to a "Conscientious Objection" Clause.
Tasmania.—Vaccination is compulsory, subject to a "Conscientious Objection" Clause.
New Zealand.—Vaccination is not, in ordinary circumstances, compulsory, but provision is made for compulsory vaccination from time to time, and in specified areas where an outbreak has occurred or may threaten to occur (Part IX of the Infectious and Notifiable Diseases Regulations, gazetted 3rd March, 1921).
With regard to the second part of the question, complete returns are not available.
As to the third part of the question, the figures for 1924 have not yet reached me. From such returns as are available, it would appear that there were seven deaths from smallpox in Australia during the 10 years 1913–23; in New South Wales, one in 1913, and one in 1924; in Victoria, one in 1921: in Queensland, one in 1916, and two in 1922; in Western Australia, one in 1915. In New Zealand no death has been reported.