asked the Minister of Health on what date supplies of anti-flu vaccine were first made available in the Manchester area in sufficient quantities to give protection to doctors and essential hospital staff.

The first supplies of vaccine were sent to the Manchester area, as to other parts of the country, early in October. Within the next few days sufficient vaccine will have been issued for all the general practitioners and local health authority staff in the area who expressed a wish to be vaccinated, but a further quantity remains to be issued for hospital staff.

Is it not the case that a large firm had a considerable stock of this vaccine available as early as 18th September? Could not some of that have been released earlier?

No, Sir. There are, in fact, two manufacturers of this vaccine. Distribution has been made as supplies of the vaccine have become available.