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<p>The UK Government has not been involved in talks with the German Government on
compensation for British survivors of Thalidomide. We have been assisting the Thalidomide
Trust in making their own representations directly to the German Government.</p><p>
</p><p>At the request of representatives of the Thalidomide Trust the then Minister
for Europe (Rt Hon David Lidington MP) wrote on 4 February to the German Ambassador
to London, setting out the Trust’s desire for further discussions with the German
Government and requesting his support in raising the matter within Germany. The Ambassador
passed this request to the German Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women
and Youth. The FCO received a response from the Families Ministry on 1 June. In this
response the German Government sets out that UK survivors of Thalidomide are able
to apply for compensation from the Contergan Foundation For Disabled People.</p><p>
</p><p>The Contergan Foundation was established by the German Government to help disabled
people whose deformities can be linked to their mothers taking medicinal products
during pregnancy which contained thalidomide. While funded in part by the German Government,
the Contergan Foundation is independent of the German Government who do not control
or influence the awards made. As such the Families Ministry declined to meet the Thalidomide
Trust for further discussions and reiterated their belief that British survivors should
contact the Contergan Foundation.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government remains in contact
with the Thalidomide Trust to discuss all aspects of this case.</p>
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