HC Deb 03 July 2002 vol 388 cc452-3W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he was informed, at the time of signing the contract with Powderject, that(a) the manufacturing would be sub-contracted to a further company and (b) it would be undertaken outside the UK. [54659]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 8 May 2002]Yes. The Department knew in advance of awarding the contract that PowderJect would not be the direct manufacturer and that the vaccine would be manufactured in Germany by PowderJeces partner company, Bavarian Nordic.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the Powderject contract for smallpox vaccines was handled as a matter of national security; and if he will make a statement. [54655]

Mr. Hutton

[holding answer 8 May 2002]I refer the hon. Member to answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr. Jones) on 15 May 2002,Official Report, column 727.