HL Deb 28 March 1991 vol 527 cc1246-7

Lord Henley rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 7th March be approved—[14th Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Lord said: My Lords, the draft order increases the amount of the payment under Section 1 of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 by 50 per cent. to £30,000 for claims made on or after 15th April 1991. The intention to make that increase was announced on 27th February by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Security. In making the announcement, he stressed that the proposed increase did not represent a changed judgment about the safety of vaccination but merely our view that it is once again appropriate to increase the payment. I am now happy to bring forward the necessary order to give effect to that announcement. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 7th March be approved [14th Report from the Joint Committee].—(Lord Henley.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

Lord Reay

My Lords, perhaps I may take the opportunity to wish all noble Lords and all who work in the Palace of Westminster a very happy Easter.