§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) where it is proposed that drug addicts in the Bedford-Kempston area should receive medical treatment; and if he will estimate the cost of this service on an annual basis;
(2) whether there are adequate facilities for coping with drug addicts in Bedford; and whether he proposes to establish special facilities either there or in the vicinity of the town.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe provision of services for drug addicts in Bedford is a matter for the North Bedfordshire health authority and the North West Thames regional health authority which have responsibility for456W uptake of whooping cough vaccination following his campaign in September 1982; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FowlerInformation received from health authorities so far indicates an increase to 53 per cent. in uptake of completed courses of whooping cough vaccination among infants in 1982–7 percentage points above the level reached in 1981.
Since the end of 1978, uptake of protection for these children has risen by 22 percentage points.
I am very pleased by these figures and my Department will be working to ensure that the improvement they represent is sustained and that as many children as possible are protected against this disease in future.