Oral Answers to Questions

Clive Efford Excerpts

Thursday 10th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

I pay tribute to the work of my predecessor as Paymaster General in this area. I know the practical experience with which the right hon. Gentleman speaks. When I gave evidence to the inquiry back in May, I said that I was not bringing a counsel of perfection and that I would listen to suggestions, which I would judge on the basis of not causing further undue delay to victims who have already waited for too long. That is the approach I will take as I urgently look at the recommendations. With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will hopefully update the House on that before the summer recess.

[Clive Efford (Eltham and Chislehurst) (Lab)]

Sir Brian Langstaff was particularly critical of the engagement with the infected and affected community since the publication of his final report in May last year. In particular, he was critical of the way the expert group was set up with the explicit instruction not to engage with the community. Does my right hon. Friend accept that a lot of damage has been done since the publication of that final report, as is exposed in the report that Sir Brian Langstaff published yesterday? Will he say what he intends to do to improve relationships with the infected and the affected?

[Nick Thomas-Symonds]

I am deeply sympathetic to the inquiry’s words on the involvement of the infected blood community. The Government are committed to providing fair compensation to victims of this scandal. The inquiry recognised this and said:

“There can be no doubt that the Government has done right in ways which powerfully signal its intent.”

However, I also recognise what Sir Brian said when he stated that

“there is still more to be done to ensure that the detail and operation of the scheme matches up to its intent.”

I will now urgently look at those recommendations with a view to action.

--- Later in debate ---

[Pat McFadden]

I am not seeking to overturn that, but we want to have a system where we uphold the equality law that applies to the civil service, just as it applies throughout the public sector.

[Clive Efford (Eltham and Chislehurst) (Lab)]

Further to the answer given by the Paymaster General regarding the contaminated blood inquiry, I welcome that he will update the House when he has had an opportunity to digest yesterday’s report, but can I have an assurance from him that it will not be on the last sitting day before recess?

[The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office (Nick Thomas-Symonds)]

I may be in the hands of Mr Speaker so I will certainly not tread on to which days I will be permitted to do so, but definitely before the summer recess.