HC Deb 03 July 1947 vol 439 cc1481-2
12. Mr. Driberg

asked the Minister of Health if he will cause a thorough investigation to be made into the case of the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Gooding, Wolsey, Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, Essex, who was described by the doctor in charge of the clinic attended by Mrs. Gooding as a perfect baby but who, after being vaccinated three times within seven weeks, on the third occasion with a double injection, became blind and is not expected to recover her health; what precautions he is taking against the occurrence of similar tragedies; and if the parents of this child are entitled to compensation.

Mr. Bevan

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend. In the meantime, I should like to express my deep sympathy with the parents

Mr. Driberg

While not presuming to generalise from this tragic case, on a matter on which I have no medical knowledge, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is satisfied that similar results will not follow similar treatment in other cases, and will he make the result of his inquiry fully available to the House and the public?

Mr. Bevan

With regard to the latter part of the supplementary question, if my hon. Friend will put down a Question after inquiries have been made, I will certainly give all the information at my disposal. With regard to the first part of the question, until we have had an inquiry I would not like to make any comment.