§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in the light of the Government's intention to provide compensation for vaccine damaged children, he will introduce legislation to compensate children blinded as a result of their being placed in oxygen tents when born prematurely.
§ Mr. MoyleThe Government payments scheme for vaccine-damaged children was introduced because the vaccination programme is public health policy sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Security for the benefit of the community, and the Government felt that they bore a special responsibility where this policy caused injury. The same considerations do not apply to children treated with 501W oxygen in order to prevent death or handicap whilst under intensive medical care. I have the greatest sympathy with children whose eyes may be adversely affected because of too high a concentration of oxygen, but, as the hon. Member will understand, compensation is payable in these unfortunate cases only if liability is established on grounds of negligence.