Vaccination without Parents' Consent.
asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the child of Mr. G. Fisher, the latter now in the Edmonton Infirmary, was vaccinated without its parents' consent on being sent to the Chase Farm workhouse schools; whether the child of Mr. Isted, previously sent to the same schools, was also vaccinated without the parents' consent; whether in the case of Mr. Isted the guardians apologised for what had been done; and whether steps will be taken to prevent the authorities of the Chase Farm schools vaccinating the children of parents who are opposed to vaccination, but who, through misfortune, are temporarily obliged to surrender their children to the care of the guardians?
I do not find that I have received any complaint on this subject. I will make inquiry with regard to it.
Rural Doctors and the Petrol Tax.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in levying the new tax upon petrol, he will consider the case of medical men in rural districts, with a view to giving them either exemption from this tax, which will weigh heavily upon them, or at all events some rebate on the levy?
I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Northwest Manchester.
Colonial Government Bonds.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all bonds to bearer, excepting Colonial Government bonds to bearer, passing from seller to purchaser, must in future bear a 20s. per cent. stamp, or whether the new tax is only applicable to bonds issued on and after 29th April, 1909?
I must ask the hon. Member to wait for this information until the Finance Bill is in the hands of the House.
Barrel Licence.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain why he proposes to charge the 12s. per 50 barrel licence on bulk barrels, whereas he charges the 7s. 9d. duty on statutory barrels?
My hon. Friend is probably aware that in the course of to-day's Debate I have undertaken to reconsider this point, and in these circumstances it is perhaps hardly necessary for me to go further into the grounds on which my original decision was based.
Deaths under Anæsthetics.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state what was the number of the persons who died while under the influence of an anæsthetic in the years 1907 and 1908 respectively?
also asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can state whether any, and, if any, how many, persons died while under the influence of nitrous oxide during the last five years?
The following are the only figures which can be furnished at present. They relate only to England and Wales:—
Deaths of persons returned on medical or coroners' certificates as due to anæsthetics administered for surgical purposes: All Anæsthetics (including Nitrous Oxide). Nitrous Oxide. 1903 146 5 1904 156 1 1905 155 1 1906 183 3 1907 186 3
The figures for the year 1908 are not yet available.
Free Vintner's Privileges.
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that the White Hart, a wine shop in Euston-road, London, has exhibited notices in its windows inviting its customers to bring their children there as a place exempt from the provisions of the Children Act; has he any official information showing that children have been brought to the wine bar in this establishment; is he aware that the Commissioners of Inland Revenue granted a wine licence to this establishment after it had been refused renewal of a public-house licence; are the police advised that the White Hart is exempt from the provisions of the Children Act; if so, will he consider the desirability of introducing amending legislation; and, if not, will he see that a prosecution is instituted if the facts warrant it?
The Secretary of State is informed by the Commissioner of Police that notices of the nature described were shown in the windows of the White Hart, but that they have now been withdrawn. No licence has been granted to this house since its licence as an ordinary public-house was refused renewal by the justices. The occupier enjoys the privileges of a free vintner and requires no licence to sell wine. He is, however, subject to all the provisions of all Acts made for the regulation of persons so licensed, and the Secretary of State is advised that section 120 of the Children Act therefore applies. The police report that they have reason to believe that no children were admitted to the wine bar, notwithstanding the notices, but if any evidence of any offence should be obtained proceedings will be taken.
Junior Students (Scotland).
asked the Lord Advocate if he will state how many junior students are at present in training in Scot- land, distinguishing between first year, second year, and third year?
There are at present 3,208 junior students in training, of whom 1,644 are in the first year, 1,343 in the second, and 221 in the third.
Post Office (Unestablished Employés).
asked the Postmaster-General if he will state how many employés in the engineer-in-chief and controller of stores and factories departments with service ranging from two years and upwards are unestablished?
The numbers are:— 3,819 in Engineering Department 678 in the Stores, and 679 in the Factories. Total, 5,176