asked the Minister of Health why he has approved the provision by local authorities of immunisation against whooping cough; who will bear the cost; what is the estimated expenditure for the full year; with whom he has had consultations on this matter; and if he will provide the statistical evidence upon which his approval was sought and given.

No general approval such as my hon. Friend suggests has been given, but in consultation with my medical advisers I have consented to certain local authorities making their own arrangements for immunisation against whooping cough where they have wished to give it a trial.