asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how frequently the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation holds regular meetings.

The committee normally meet two or three times a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will request the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, when it publishes its evidence on the whooping-cough vaccine, to compare the incidence of permanent brain damage resulting from both the disease and the vaccine, as well as comparing the incidence of encephalitis from which there may be complete recovery.

My hon. Friend's suggestion will be conveyed to the joint committee.