asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the success of the rubella immunisation programme in schools; what percentage of girls are being immunised by the age of 14 years; and if he will make a statement.

There are indications that the programme in schools is having a substantial effect; on average throughout the country around 70 per cent. of girls are vaccinated against rubella by their fourteenth birthday. Further details about rubella vacccination were in my right hon. Friend's reply on 7th November.—[Vol. 957, Col. 110–2.]

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of babies born with congenital rubella in each of the last 10 years; what is his estimate of the number who will be so handicapped in 1978; and if he will make a statement.

The available figures of cases reported for the period 1972 to 1977 were given in the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 2nd May 1978.—[Vol. 949, Col. 90.] As to the second part of his Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend's reply on 7th November.—[Vol. 957, c. 110–12.]