§ 79. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that 600 children belonging to the Orphan Homes of Scotland, Bridge of Weir, Renfrewshire, have been used for the purpose of research into a new anti-tuberculosis vaccine; that this experiment has been going on for the last three years; that now, as a result, a number of the children 27W are suffering from a chronic skin infection; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Commander GalbraithIn the course of vaccinating these children against tuberculosis it was arranged, in the spring of 1951, between the Department of Health and the county council, with the consent and co-operation of the management, to use B.C.G. vaccine for some of the children and an alternative vaccine —the "vole"vaccine—for others. Earlier studies had suggested that vole vaccine was likely to give as good protection with less local reaction but late skin reactions on the site of the vaccination have been noted in 20 of 280 children who received this vaccine. I am assured that these reactions have been slight and are all clearing up, while the general health of the children has been entirely unaffected.