HC Deb 30 November 1925 vol 188 cc1851-4W
Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in circumstances where adults are persuaded to be vaccinated or re-vaccinated and unexpected results ensue necessitating abstention from work, no provision is made for compensation for loss of wages other than the National Health Insurance

of 1925, if possible showing the import from Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Germany, separately?

Mr. SAMUEL

The figures are as follow:

scheme; and whether, as many workers are not covered by such scheme, he will consider a scheme for compensation in the cases referred to?

Mr. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN

As regards the first part of the question, I may say that there is no statutory provision for the payment of compensation for loss of wages in the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member. As regards the second part, I do not think it necessary, as at present advised, to consider any general scheme for compensation in such cases.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health if he will furnish statistics showing the number of public vaccinations and re-vaccinations, respectively, carried out

Year. Number of successful vaccinations and re-vaccinations performed by Public Vaccinators at the cost of the rates. Approximate Expenditure incurred in respect of public vaccination.
Vaccinations. Re-Vaccinations. Expenditure out of Local Rates. Expenditure out of Exchequer Funds.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
1914–1915 144,000 26,000
1915–1910 138,000 12,000
1916–1917 129,000 16,000
1917–1918 199,013 33,635 116,000 21,000
1918–1919 186,861 16,052 110,000 20,000
1919–1920 258,996 12,898 124,000 18,000
1920–1921 245,154 26,775 175,000 15,000
1921–1922 223,838 12,887 162,000 22,000
1922–1923 415,549 316,641 181,000 20,000
1923–1924 331,522 89,600
The figures in Columns 2 and 3 relate to the years ended the 30th September; those for the years 1914–1915, 1915–1916, 1916–1917 are not available. The figures in Columns 4 and 5 relate in each case to the year ended 31st March; those for 1923–1924 are not yet available.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that it is still the practice of many medical practitioners to employ the arm-to-arm method of vaccination in private practice; and whether, in view of the serious risks attending such practice, he will consider the desirability of making representation to the medical profession on the matter?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. My information is that comparatively few medical practitioners now employ this method of vaccination, and I scarcely think it necessary to make representations to the medical profession on the matter.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health whether he can present statistics showing the total number of small-pox cases notified by the various boroughs and urban districts from 1891 to 1924 and the percentage of births vaccinated for each of these years?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Statistics showing the total number of small-pox cases notified in the various boroughs and urban districts in England and Wales will be

in England and Wales in each of the past in years and the expenditure incurred in respect to such services, and showing the charge upon national and local funds separately?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The information asked for by the hon. Member is as follows:

found in the annual volumes of "Statistics of the Incidence of Notifiable Infectious Diseases in each Sanitary District in England and Wales," which were published by the Local Government Board and the Ministry of Health for the years 1911 to 1920, and in the Registrar-General's Statistical Review for the years 1921 onward. Similar statistics are not available for the years prior to 1911, and no figures are available as to the percentage of births vaccinated in boroughs or urban districts.