HC Deb 14 March 1960 vol 619 cc926-7
43. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health why he gave official Press publicity to the availability of poliomyelitis vaccination for persons up to the age of 40 years before making the necessary arrangements for this service to be rendered.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Detailed circulars were issued to the local health authorities and executive councils on the same day as the extension of the poliomyelitis scheme was announced in the House and notified to the Press.

Mr. Pavitt

Is the Minister aware that in West Willesden this service was not available until three weeks after the day of his broadcast? In view of the number of times in recent years when the Ministry of Health has been ham-fisted in the way in which it has co-ordinated its services with the medical profession, may I ask whether the Minister will overhaul his Department's views on this matter?

Mr. Walker-Smith

There is some misunderstanding here. I made no broadcast on this occasion on this matter. I have had no complaints from Middlesex County Council, which is the local health authority responsible for Willesden, and, as far as I am aware, no local health authority, no general practitioner and no member of the public has suffered any inconvenience at all in this matter.

Mr. Pavitt

I beg to give notice that I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.