HC Deb 21 June 1978 vol 952 c453
12. Mr. Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons in Scotland are now on the Y list of thalidomide victims.

Mr. Harry Ewing

Seven young people resident in Scotland are at present on the Y list.

Mr. Thompson

As the number of persons on the list is so small, as this is a once-for-all matter, and as the Distillers Company makes profits, what action is the Minister taking to help towards a generous settlement without any more needless legal and medical nit-picking?

Mr. Ewing

I am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman really understands the problem here. It is a matter between the parents of the young people and those who represent them and the Distillers Company Limited. It is a legal matter. The Government have little or no part to play in it. Those who were on the Y list have not yet had their cases decided by the court. Those are cases in which there is some dispute. There is no point in the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, East (Mr. Henderson) nodding his head, because I strongly suspect that he does not know anything about the problem either.