(2) what assessment he made of the average life-time cost to thalidomiders resulting from their disability.
The Department has received written representations from the National Advisory Committee to the Thalidomide Trust and others on the issue of Government compensation for thalidomide victims. No recent discussions have taken place.
Thalidomide victims are compensated through a private settlement, which was agreed between the Thalidomide Trust, which was established to administer annual payments to victims, and Distillers, which is now part of Diageo plc, the company that marketed the drug in the United Kingdom. The adequacy of the compensation fund is therefore a matter for the Thalidomide Trust and Diageo plc.
No assessment has been made of the cost to thalidomide victims resulting from their disabilities.