§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people have contracted polio in the last five years; and what action is being taken to ensure complete vaccination of the population.
§ Mr. John PattenThe number of poliomyelitis cases reported to the communicable diseases surveillance centre in respect of England and Wales is as follows:
Number 1980 2 1981 6 1982 3 1983 3 1984 3 We are committed to a voluntary immunisation policy. Polio immunisation is an integral part of the childhood immunisation programme and as such is continuously promoted by health professionals and through literature published by the Government funded Health Education Council.