§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what were the reasons for the number of disallowances made by the vaccine damage tribunal for each year since 1987.
§ Mr. ScottVaccine damage tribunals which determine appeals are independent of this Department. I am unable to comment on matters for which those independent authorities are responsible.
§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claims were made on behalf of vaccine-damaged children for the vaccine damage payment, who have been accepted as vaccine-damaged but were turned down because their disability was less than 80 per cent., between the passing of the compensation Act and June 1981; and how many parents have applied but have been turned down because of the six-year ruling between these dates.
§ Mr. ScottThe administration of the vaccine damage payment scheme is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. Richard Burden, dated 4 July 1994:
The Secretary of State for Social Security has aked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many claims were made on behalf of vaccine damaged children for the vaccine damage payment, who have been accepted as vaccine damaged but were turned down because their disability was less than 80 per cent. between the passing of the compensation act and June 1981; and how many parents have applied but have been turned down because of the six year ruling between these dates.You will be aware from my earlier letter of 24 June 1994 to you about this subject [OR Vol 245 Col 441] that the full range of information requested is not available. This is because statistics relating to claims for Vaccine Damage Payments were not maintained in a form which could identify the specific reason for refusal until June 1981. However, I am able to tell you that in the period up to June 1981 there were 2,742 claims made, the majority being on behalf of Vaccine Damaged children and a small minority being made by self claimants, ie persons over the age of 18 years. Of those claims 2,301 claims were disallowed.I am sorry that I am unable to be more specific on this occasion but I hope you find this reply helpful.