HC Deb 29 March 1956 vol 550 cc248-9W
Mr. Viant

asked the Minister of Health the ages of the cases of, and deaths from, poliomyelitis in England and Wales in each of the years 1947 to 1955.

Mr. Turton

The number of cases notified of acute poliomyelitis in England and Wales in the years 1947 to 1955 are as follows:

Mr. Viant

asked the Minister of Health why the pilot scheme for polio vaccination, arranged to be operated in six centres in the United Kingdom by the Medical Research Council last year, has been abandoned.

Mr. Turton

I am replying as representing the Lord President of the Council. The Medical Research Council decided in June, 1955, to postpone the proposed pilot trial of a vaccine identical with that used in the United States until certain modifications in the vaccine could be made, and more stringent safety tests introduced. These original proposals have been superseded by the recently announced plans for the general issue of a British vaccine.