HC Deb 12 January 1988 vol 125 c255W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will start preparing legislation to establish a no-fault scheme for drug damage compensation which would provide for appropriate and prompt payments to be made by the pharmaceutical industry to established victims;

(2) what estimates are known to his Department of the cost of providing a no-fault compensation scheme for drug-damaged victims.

Mr. Newton

The Government have no plans to introduce legislation to establish a no-fault scheme of this kind and have no reliable estimates of the costs involved. From 1 March 1988 when the relevant provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 come into force, people who can establish that they have suffered damage from using a defective medicinal product will no longer have also to prove negligence before they can establish liability.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received about establishing a no-fault compensation payment scheme for victims of drug damage; and what was the thrust of the views expressed.

Mr. Newton

None, other than those put forward in the House by the right hon. Member himself.

Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has of the amount pharmaceutical companies now pay for insurance cover against drug damage compensation payments.

Mr. Newton

I regret that information of the kind referred to is not held by the Department.