Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Paul Burstow and Simon Kirby

Tuesday 7th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con)]

5. On what date he expects to make an announcement on compensation for those infected by contaminated blood products supplied by the NHS.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Paul Burstow)]

In October we announced a review of a number of aspects of Lord Archer’s recommendations, including the level of ex gratia payments and the mechanism by which they are made, access to insurance, prescriptions charges and access to nursing and other care services. The Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Guildford (Anne Milton), expects to report the outcomes of the review by the end of the year.

[Simon Kirby]

I thank the Minister for his answer. Does he believe that, after all the years of inaction, that will draw a line under the matter?

[Paul Burstow]

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to indicate that the matter has not been dealt with thoroughly for many years, and that is why the Government have launched the review. Obviously I cannot pre-empt its outcomes, but we will bring it to the House as soon as we can.