§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received from general practitioner practices in Wales on the subject of payment for child immunisation; and if he will make a statement. [10717]
§ Mr. RichardsMy right hon. Friend has received eight representations, but none of these was made directly by general practitioner practices. Childhood immunisation target payments were introduced to provide incentives for general practitioners to encourage and increase patient take-up of childhood vaccinations. The success of the immunisation programme has resulted in the incidence of childhood diseases being at their lowest ever levels and the Government have no plans to review the criteria GPs have to meet in order to qualify for target payments.