HC Deb 29 November 1972 vol 847 cc431-2

Resolved, That a Supplementary sum, not exceeding £372,107,000, be granted to Her Majesty out of the Consolidated Fund, to defray the charge

That this House, disturbed about the plight of thalidomide children, calls upon Distillers (Biochemicals) Limited, in dealing with these cases, to face up to their moral responsibilities; and calls for immediate legislation to deal with the problems of such children, including the establishment of a trust fund to provide for the thalidomide children, for State as well as private responsibility for provision on an actuarial basis for proved cases, and all other related questions.
Mr. Speaker

I should like to inform the House that I have selected the amendment in the name of the Prime Minister and other right hon. Members, in line 1, leave out from 'children' to end and add: 'and the delay in reaching a settlement between Distillers (Biochemicals) Limited and most of the children and their families recognises the initiatives taken by Her Majesty's Government to improve services for the handicapped and disabled; and welcomes the undertakings of Her Majesty's Government to investigate any case where the needs of a thalidomide child are thought not to be met by the services available, and to consider, as soon as the cases are no longer sub judice, whether a trust fund needs to be established for thalidomide children'.

Mr. Ashley

If the House will forgive a personal note, perhaps I might say that I think it important that hon. Members should feel free to try to intervene while I am speaking, if they wish to do so. I shall try to lip read them, but if I cannot I will receive a note from one of my hon. Friends, a procedure which will take about five seconds—a small price to pay for the cut and thrust of debate in this Chamber. Having said that, I might

which will come in course of payment during the year ending on 31st March 1973 for expenditure in respect of the Civil Supplementary Estimates set out in House of Commons Paper No. 12.

Bill ordered to be brought in upon the foregoing Resolutions by the Chairman of Ways and Means, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr. Higgins.