§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria he uses in appointing trustees under section 6(1) of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanWhen the disabled person is living at home, cared for by parents, a family trust is normally set up, with the parents as trustees or, occasionally, in accordance with other suitable 219W arrangements, such as the appointment of one parent and one other person.
In other circumstances, where, for example, the disabled person is living and cared for in an institution, a family trust may be set up or other trustees appointed, after careful consideration of all the circumstances, as is judged to be in the disabled person's best interests. In England and Wales, the Public Trustee can be appointed as an alternative to setting up a family trust.
Of 440 payments made to date, 392 have been on a family trust basis, 26 to the Public Trustee or under alternative arrangements made in Scotland or Northern Ireland, and 22 to the disabled person direct.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice his Department provides to parents of vaccine damaged children concerning investment of awards under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanThe deed of trust contains guidance to parents who are appointed as trustees on ways in which trust moneys may be used for the benefit of the vaccine damaged person, and gives them wide discretion, including discretion to invest money in such ways as they see fit.
The Department does not, however, give investment advice, since this is a matter for trustees to pursue privately according to individual circumstances.