HC Deb 14 October 2002 vol 390 cc487-8W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures he is taking to ensure public engagement in the recommendations made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation; [70254]

  1. (2) if he will publish the agendas of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation in advance; [70252]
  2. (3) what plans he has to hold Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation meetings in public; [70255]
  3. (4) if he will list the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation sub-committees and their members; [70253]
  4. (5) what plans he has to reform the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation; and if he will make a statement; [70248]
  5. (6) what discussions he has had with (a) Patient groups, (b) healthcare professionals, (c) public health consultants and (d) the pharmaceutical industry on the reform of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation; [70251]
  6. (6) what plans he has for public consultation on the process and composition of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. [70250]
Ms Blears

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation have recently launched a website (www.doh.gov/jcvi/index.htm) where a list of members, together with their declarations of interest are published.

The Government has no plans to reform the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation but I have asked that the Committee consider publishing the agendas of meetings on the website in advance and also consider having meetings open to the public.

I have just confirmed that a lay member be appointed to the Committee and an announcement about the appointment will be made shortly. The appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Guidelines on appointments to public bodies.

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