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Thalidomide Survivors

Thalidomide survivors have had to fight every step of the way to win justice. Clearly, the UK Government of the late 1950s shared responsibility for thalidomide and the disaster that occurred. I congratulate the Minister on doing the right thing. He did so first in expressing regret and sympathy, and in masterminding this settlement. He also did so in rejecting the calls from the Opposition when they asked for yet another review during my Adjournment debate in November. Does my right hon. and learned Friend also agree that we owe a debt of gratitude to the thalidomide survivors, not only for their courage, determination and persistence in continuing with this campaign and fight for justice, but for the way in which they deal with their disabilities and the innovative way in which they have come up with solutions to the problems that they face in their daily lives? Does he not agree that they are role models to many people who struggle every day with the problems of disability because of the way in which they have worked together to find solutions? I congratulate them on the way in which they do it in such a determined but cheerful and comradely manner.