§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to pay a further £10,000 to all those who have received a payment under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonAs the right hon. Member is aware, a Government amendment has now been added to the current Social Security Bill to enable us to raise the figure of £10,000 contained in the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979. Subject to the enactment of the Bill as amended, we shall place an order before the House as soon as possible with details of our proposals; but we have no plans to make extra payments of the kind the right hon. Member suggests.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people received awards under the Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979 in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. NewtonThe information is as follows:
Year Awards 1982 43 1983 42 1984 29