Infected Blood Compensation Scheme

Debate between Clive Efford and Roger Gale

Thursday 18th June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Clive Efford]

I agree. We need to put this on a statutory footing—if nothing else, to give rights to the people who have been wronged in the process.

[Sir Roger Gale (Herne Bay and Sandwich) (Con)]

The hon. Gentleman referred to “reinventing the wheel”. There is no possible way that anybody can be really compensated for the loss of a child, a husband or a wife. However, those of us who still bear the scars of the thalidomide scandal are seeing the wheel reinvented again and again. Surely there has to be a system that allows compensation and allows the Government to act as the insurer of last resort and then to make claims against those who are actually culpable. Does the hon. Gentleman agree?