HC Deb 05 May 1947 vol 437 cc15-6W
Mr. Viant

asked the Minister of Health whether he will inquire into the action of Dr. L. A. Collins, medical officer of health of Hailsham Rural District Council, who inoculated David Charles Marshall, aged six years, at Polegate Primary school, Polegate, on 16th April, although the child's mother, and the family doctor, objected to diphtheria immunisation and refused her consent; how, in the Hailsham area, are children of parents who refuse consent to inoculation withheld from it; whether any other children in the Hailsham area have been inoculated at school in spite of protests by parents; in how many cases during the past two years has inoculation been performed or booster doses been given without the parents having been informed; and whether he will insist on the right of parents to refuse, being recognised by all medical officers generally and the Hailsham medical officer in particular.

Mr. Bevan

I will make inquiries and communicate with my hon. Friend.