Infected Blood Inquiry: Government Response

Debate between John Glen and Mike Kane

Monday 18th December 2023 Commons Chamber

[John Glen]

My right hon. Friend makes wise and fair observations. This is complex, but it is urgent. My right hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Jeremy Quin) did an enormous amount of work in getting us to today’s statement and to a lot more, which will come to fruition as quickly as possible. But my right hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Sir Mike Penning) is absolutely right: this scandal has lasted almost two generations, and I am determined to do everything I can to bring it to a conclusion.

[Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)]

The one tradition that has been upheld today is that of the Paymaster General coming to the House to make a statement that says nothing. He is the ninth Paymaster General since the inquiry was announced, and they keep saying nothing. In the past fortnight alone, he has had to face oral questions and has been defeated in the voting Lobbies, and the Prime Minister was asked a question about this on Wednesday, but we are still no nearer where we need to be. This is a cruel, cruel tease, is it not?

[John Glen]

I am sorry, but I do not accept that characterisation. What I would say is that, as I think the hon. Member appreciates, there are deeply complex matters in relation to how to allocate funds in the right way and create the most effective and reliable way to honour the recommendations and deal with this comprehensively, and I am doing everything I can to make sure that is achieved.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Glen and Mike Kane

Thursday 23rd November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)]

T4. The right hon. Member for Salisbury (John Glen) is the ninth Paymaster General since the contaminated blood inquiry reported. We have worked together on mesothelioma and other issues, so I know he is of good faith, but my constituent Fred Bates, who was a victim of the contaminated blood scandal, is now 74 and needs to know whether he will get compensation before it is too late.

[John Glen]

I understand that and, through the hon. Gentleman, I say to Mr Bates that I am doing everything I can to update the House as quickly as possible. There are a range of activities that I am familiar with from the small ministerial group of which I was previously a part. There is a lot of complexity in securing the envelope of money and then working out how to allocate it, but I am doing everything I can to bring that forward as quickly as possible.

Covid-19: Government Support for Business

Debate between John Glen and Mike Kane

Thursday 16th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mike Kane (Wythenshawe and Sale East) (Lab)]

Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester’s night-time economy adviser, just said:

“100,000’s staff hours are being slashed up and down the UK, due to cancellations. A large proportion”—

of those staff—

“are on a living wage.”

He says that the silence from the Chancellor is “deafening” and it is, “Unforgivable and Unforgettable.” Does the Minister agree?

[John Glen]

I don’t.