§ 65. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health the total numbers of consultant physicians, surgeons and psychiatrists in England and Wales; and what is the number of merit awards in each of the three categories, showing A, B and C awards separately.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithFollowing is the information requested:
of February 37 per cent. of all the children in Great Britain who had been registered had had two injections and a further 11 per cent. their first injection. It is the Government's aim that vaccination should be available by the summer for those in the priority groups who have registered.
§ 68. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Health if he will arrange for local authorities which have more anti-poliomyelitis vaccine than they need at the moment to transfer some to those which do not possess enough for their immediate needs.
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§ Mr. Walker-SmithWhile no authority has more vaccine than is needed to vaccinate its registered children, I am aware that some authorities which at present have vaccine in hand are giving others temporary assistance by mutual arrangement, and I am encouraging this.
§ 69 and 70. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that a doctor in Wembley, whose name has been sent to him, has nearly 100 children waiting to be inoculated with anti-poliomyelitis vaccine, but has been able to obtain only enough vaccine for 10 children; and if he will arrange for further supplies to be sent to this doctor;
(2) the total number of children under school age, and of school age, registered for anti-poliomyelitis inoculation in the county of Middlesex; the total number of children awaiting inoculation at the health clinics within the county; the amount of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine available at clinics for the children to be inoculated; the total number of children awaiting inoculation by their private doctors within the county; and the amount of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine issued to private doctors.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI regret that all the detailed information requested by my hon. Friend is not available, but approximately 246,000 children have been registered in Middlesex, of whom 124,000 were awaiting vaccination at the end of February. Distribution within the county is a matter for the local health authority. I am informed that the county council divides its supplies of vaccine between clinics and general practitioners in the various areas broadly in proportion to the numbers of persons awaiting vaccination.
72. Mr. Wileyasked the Minister of Health how many British manufacturers were invited to tender for the supply of anti-poliomyelitis vaccine; how many British manufacturers are supplying anti-poliomyelitis vaccine; and what proportion of the vaccine now being used is supplied by British manufacturers.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithSo far, two British firms have produced batches of poliomyelitis vaccine and both are supplying it for use in the vaccination programme. Of the total quantity of vaccine issued to date 62 per cent. has been of British manufacture.
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§ 75. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to increase the amount of poliomyelitis vaccine for use in the Macclesfield rural district.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithCheshire will receive its share of the next issue of vaccine. Unless there are unforeseen difficulties I hope this will be about the middle of April. Distribution within the county is a matter for the local health authority.
§ Mr. Willeyasked the Minister of Health the proportion of children under 16 years of age who have had anti-poliomyelitis vaccination.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery).
§ Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Minister of Health how much anti-poliomyelitis vaccine has been purchased from the United States of America; and whether he is satisfied that this quantity is sufficient for the estimated demand in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithSalk vaccine is being purchased from both Canada and the United States. So far 2,826 litres have been received and more is on order.
As regards the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to my reply today to the hon. Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery).
§ Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Minister of Health what number of parents, offered the choice of either anti-poliomyelitis vaccine manufactured in the United States of America or in the United King-don, have opted for the latter only.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo national figures are available, but my information is that in most areas a large majority of parents have made no objection to Salk vaccine.