Oral Answers to Questions

Sarah Wollaston Excerpts

Tuesday 16th April 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Hunt]

It is an additional 4 million since the disastrous changes to the GP contract and an additional 1 million since the last election.

[Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con)]

In Brixham in my constituency, 94% of five-year-olds are protected against measles. Just up the road in Totnes the figure is only 70%. There are many reasons for the variation, but does the Secretary of State share my concern that if parents believe they are protected by, for example, homeopathy products, they might be less likely to use an evidence-based treatment? Will he make an unequivocal statement that such products will not give any protection?

[Mr Hunt]

I am happy to do so and thank my hon. Friend for bringing up the issue. There is no scientific evidence whatsoever that homeopathic products can provide protection against measles. The right thing to do is to get two doses of the MMR jab. As I said earlier, anyone whose children, whatever their age, have not had those two doses should contact their GP.