THALIDOMIDE CHILDREN

HC Deb 01 February 1973 vol 849 cc1610-1

Q5. Mr. Ashley

asked the Prime Minister what recent representations he has received from Distillers Company about compensation for thalidomide children; and what replies he has sent.

Mr. Barber

I have been asked to reply.

None, Sir.

Mr. Ashley

Perhaps they were stunned by the Chancellor's letter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the major consequences of the thalidomide campaign has been the focusing of public attention on the financial plight of all severely disabled children? Does he admit that the Government's offer of £3 million is grossly inadequate and is really playing with peanuts in view of the needs of these children? Will the Government make adequate provision for all disabled children and ensure that their income, as well as the income for thalidomide children, is guaranteed against inflation?

Mr. Barber

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to make it clear that we should direct our attention to all disabled children, and the Government have shown that they are very much concerned. We introduced the attendance allowance, which already benefits about 20,000 severely disabled children and their families and is likely to benefit three times that number in two years. We are making available £3 million immediately to complement the help which is already provided for congenitally disabled children through the National Health, housing, education and personal social services. We have undertaken, when a settlement is reached, to consider providing a further similar sum for those children.

Mr. Pavitt

Does the Chancellor recognise that, although we applaud the overall approach that is being made by the Government to the whole problem of congenitally deformed children, the nation owes a special debt to the thalidomide children because, without that case, the whole of the legislation of the Committee on the Safety of Drugs and the Medicines Act 1968 probably would not have the teeth that it has? Therefore, we owe a debt to them for focusing attention on drug safety.

Mr. Barber

I will ask my right hon. Friend who is primarily responsible for matters relating to drug safety to take account of what the hon. Gentleman has said. I was pleased to hear the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) say that attention is being focused on disabled children generally. I think that is the right approach.