HC Deb 11 November 1949 vol 469 c162W
Mr. Skinnard

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of diphtheria were reported among children up to the age of 16 in 1948; and the number of such children who had been inoculated against the disease.

Mr. Bevan

, pursuant to his reply to a supplementary question by Mr. D. Marshall [OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th May, 1949; Vol. 464, c. 1199–1200] supplied the following information: Local authority returns show that in England and Wales 2,431 children under the age of 15 were reported as suffering from diphtheria in 1948, and that 788 of them had been immunised, while of 126 children who died from diphtheria only six were immunised. Figures are not available for children of age 15 to 16.