|

Compensation for Thalidomide victims

19 January 2010

Following the statement made in the House of Commons on January 14 2010 by the minister of state, Mr Mike O'Brien, Tony Baldry said:

"Often people ask what is the point of being a Member of Parliament? Offsetting the frustrations, working together with parliamentary colleagues from all sides of the House it is possible to chieve a campaigning victory, whethe it be to retain essential services at one's local hospital, ensuring a fairer deal for Gurkhas, or in this case, much needed help for thalidomide victims.

I and other Members of Parliament last year put forward a collective suggestion to Ministers as to how they could help thalidomide victims who are, by definition, a finatie number but who are growing older and whose needs as a consequence are growing.

I am very glad that the Minister listened to our advice and has found £20 million to find a scheme to meet the needs of thalidomide survivors in a more personalised way."