Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether it is proposed that the Courts Bill will include measures to help eliminate Hepatitis C in prisons.

As the Queen’s Speech set out, legislation will be brought forward to reform the courts system in England and Wales, to ensure that it is more efficient and accessible and easier for everyone to use. The legislation will not include prisons measures.

Public Health England is working in partnership with NHS England and HM Prison & Probation Service to implement opt-out testing for blood-borne viruses in prisons, to increase the level of testing for Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV, and to improve access to treatment.