HC Deb 21 July 1981 vol 9 cc87-8W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will introduce a scheme to provide full compensation for those injured by vaccination beyond that of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979;

(2) if he will introduce legislation to make public authorities strictly liable in tort for damage suffered as a result of vaccination recommended in the interests of the community, as proposed by the Pearson report on civil liability.

Mr. Rossi

Whilst we have every sympathy with those who have suffered vaccine damage and their families, we continue to believe that the way ahead lies in improving provision for the disabled generally without regard to the cause of their disability when resources become available. We therefore have no intention of amending, amplifying or extending the present vaccine damage payments scheme, nor of introducing new legislation.