Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 17 June 2003. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when (a) ministers and (b) officials in his Department have met representatives of Powderject; and who was present at each meeting.

Answer: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when (a) Ministers and (b) officials in his Department have met representatives of PowderJect; and who was present at each meeting. [109076] Mr. Hutton: Ministers have had no meetings with PowderJect representatives to discuss the placing of the smallpox vaccine contracts. Officials met with representatives from PowderJect on the following dates: 16 October 2000; 9 January 2001; 22 January 2002; 11 April 2002; 16 July 2002, 5 August 2002; 14 October 2002; 5 December 2002; 10 January 2003; and 29 January 2003. The Departmental officials and PowderJect representatives present at each meeting was dependent on the subject to be discussed. As all discussions were confidential, the names of those present are not being revealed. This is in accordance with normal policy.

Secondary information