§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if it is his policy to establish a full compensation scheme for vaccine-damaged children;
(2) if it is his policy to regard vaccine-damaged children as in a special category due to their normality prior to the injection being given; and whether he is proposing any further extension in the criteria used to provide compensation.
§ Sir George YoungThe Vaccine Damaged Payments Act 1979 provides for a payment of £10,000 in respect of those who have suffered severe disablement due to vaccination and who satisfy the conditions laid down in the Act. It was made clear, when the scheme was announced, that it does not constitute compensation. My right hon. Friend has no proposals for any legislation for further provision for the vaccine-damaged, but improved provision for the disabled generally, including the vaccine-damaged, will be one of the Government's priorities when resources become available.