Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Tom Pursglove Excerpts
Wednesday 14th November 2018

(5 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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The hon. Lady has always been the most ardent champion of those who have been affected by this scandal, but it is the legal and constitutional position that each part of the United Kingdom is responsible for its own compensation scheme, which reflects the devolution settlement as regards health policy.[Official Report, 20 November 2018, Vol. 649, c. 8MC.]

Tom Pursglove Portrait Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)
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Will my right hon. Friend say a little bit more about the role that those who have been affected by this tragedy will have in setting the terms and the scope of the inquiry? I particularly raise this because of the issue of access to treatment, which is something that I have regularly raised and that I think should be explored.

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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That issue is certainly one that I know Sir Brian and the inquiry team want to examine and call evidence on. People who have been directly affected have had opportunities at the preliminary hearings to express their views. More than 1,200 of them have now been appointed as core participants and the forthcoming public meetings will give them a further chance to make sure that their views are indeed heard. Sir Brian is determined that that will be the case.