§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in Leicester, during the past 25 years, not more than 5 per cent. of the children born have been vaccinated; that during the 25 years 1905–29 no death was registered from small-pox; that during 17 of those years no cases occurred; that during the years 1929–31 two outbreaks of mild 592W small-pox which occurred in the city were attended by only two deaths; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the experience of Leicester that epidemic smallpox can be controlled without resort to vaccination?
Sir H. YOUNGThe figures given in the question are substantially correct, but they may with advantage be supplemented by the Registrar-General's official record that during the 1929–31 outbreak 2,871 cases of small-pox occurred in Leicester (967 of these cases being notified to the local authority in the first quarter of 1931). The facts are well known to my Department, and their significance duly appreciated. I see no reason for instituting a special inquiry.