§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many parts of London pressure has been exercised by employers of labour to get their employés vaccinated and that in several instances this action has been taken at the request of the local medical officer of health; and whether, in view of the fact that the cases of small-pox notified this year are for the most part so mild that in other countries they would not be diagnosed as small-pox at all, he will issue an order requesting medical officers of health not to press vaccination as they have been doing hitherto?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have no information as to the first part of the question, but I am aware that it is the practice of medical officers of health to advise the vaccination or revaccination of persons who have been in contact with small-pox, and it is probable that they have given this advice to employers of labour. As regards the second part of the question, I do not think that I should be justified in taking any action to interfere with the discretion of medical officers of health in this matter.
§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health how many death certificates were received during the year 1929 on which were the words "vaccinations," "vaccinia," or "post-vaccinal encephalitis"; what were the ages of these cases; and in how many other cases was vaccination associated with the cause of death without that fact being mentioned on the death certificate?
§ Mr. GREENWOODDuring the year 1929, 23 deaths were registered in England and Wales in which the words "vaccination," "vaccinia," or "post-vaccinal encephalitis" appeared in the medical or coroner's certificate. In one of these cases, however, the reference on the certificate to these conditions takes the form of a statement that they were not responsible for the death. The ages618W of the deceased were respectively four weeks, two months, four months, five months (four cases), six months (two cases), seven months, two years, five years, eight years, nine years, 10 years, 12 years, 14 years (two cases), 16 years, 17 years, 26 years, 31 years and 46 years. 14 other cases were brought to the notice of my Department in which death occurred within four weeks of vaccination. In at least nine of these there is no reason to think that vaccination contributed in any way to the fatal issue.
§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether in view of the possible danger in the practice of vaccination as disclosed in Official Reports and medical articles and speeches, he will introduce a Measure that will make the practice of vaccination entirely optional?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on this subject on the 13th instant.