To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of poliomyelitis there have been in each year since 1978 and in 1992 to date; and if he will give for each year the number of cases known to have been caused from (a) vaccination and (b) contact with a vaccinated person.

Between 1978 and the end of 1991, there have been 42 cases of paralytic poliomyelitis reported to the Public Health Laboratory Service communicable disease surveillance centre. A total of 18 were vaccine associated (recipient) cases and nine were vaccine associated (contact) cases.In 1992 there has been one vaccine associated (contact) case.