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Question
The shadow asked why there is a need to wait until summer next year for the psychological support service to go live, considering how long this issue has been ongoing. He also inquired about the Government's commitment to begin steps in January and bring forward primary legislation early in the new year.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by acknowledging the shadow’s concerns but did not provide a specific reason for delaying the psychological support until summer 2024. Regarding legislative progress, he affirmed the Government’s intention to work through technical considerations before making final decisions on compensation.
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Question
The shadow questioned whether the Treasury was doing preparatory work and requested transparency in this process. He also asked for a commitment that the Government will act on each recommendation from the inquiry’s report, not just provide statements.
Minister reply
In response to questions about preparatory work by the Treasury, the Minister did not commit to releasing specific details but promised to consider transparency. On acting upon recommendations, he reiterated his commitment to justice and recognition for victims but did not specify a timetable beyond providing an update within 25 sitting days after the final report’s publication.
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Question
I welcome the fact that this statement has been made... I would be grateful if the Minister would also address the following questions. Why can the Government not commit to beginning the steps in January, not just to take the technical advice that he has referred to, but to bring forward primary legislation early in the new year to enable the establishment of the compensation scheme, given that this House has shown its support for that? Will he also commit to continuing to work closely with all the victims’ groups in the future, so that their voice is heard throughout the establishment of the compensation scheme?
Minister reply
I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his constructive approach... I assure the House that we are doing everything we can to work across relevant Departments, including the Treasury, to ensure everything is delivered as quickly as possible.
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Question
Mr Deputy Speaker, I hope that you realise that after I have asked my question... If it is a question of money, how much and the cashflow for the Government, they should say so now. There is nothing that can be said on compensation 25 days after the report comes out that could not be said now, so please will the Minister say it?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his questions... In the past five weeks, I have taken concrete steps, building on the work of my predecessor, to take the actions necessary to make those decisions as quickly as possible along the timescale I have set out.
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Question
Most of what we have heard today is not new... Where is the urgency? The Minister has used the words “urgency” and “urgent” several times today, but it does not feel to those who are affected that there is any urgency from the Government to address the great wrongs and losses that they have suffered.
Minister reply
I do not accept that characterisation of what I have said today... Neither do I accept the characterisation of the Government’s position as a callous act. This Government launched a public inquiry, and last year we made interim payments.
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Question
I thank the Minister for what is now our traditional end-of-term statement on this subject, but, to be clear, this is one festive tradition that we need to see the back of, because people are dying without seeing justice. May I return the Paymaster General to a line in his statement where he talked about “clinical, legal and social care experts” to advise him on detailed technical considerations in the new year? Can he clarify when in the new year, because, clearly, that could cover 12 months of 2024.
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I have been in discussions on the appointment of clinical, legal and social care experts since my first week in office in November. We have identified individuals, and communicated with them last week. We want to get them on board with this work in the early days of the new year, so that that work can happen as quickly as possible.
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Question
In April 2023, Sir Brian Langstaff said: “I recommend that a compensation scheme should be set up now and it should begin work this year.” What exactly does the Minister not understand in that statement? This statement today will cause huge anguish to victims of the 50-year-old scandal.
Minister reply
I recognise the right hon. Lady’s frustration and disappointment with where we have got to. The work that she has done, and the work that was expressed in the amendment, is urgently being examined by me and my officials.
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Question
I have some sympathy for the Minister, who I suspect might go slightly further in his comments if he had complete free rein at the Dispatch Box. What is his timeline for people to start dealing with these cases?
Minister reply
That is what the experts will do—the calibration of tariffs and allocation of compensation, as per the excellent work that has been done by the inquiries. This is urgent, and work will begin in the new year on that aspect.
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Question
The Minister has referred many times to urgency. I think that he is a good man, and I know that he will be trying to do his best, but I had a message this afternoon from the organisation Factor 8, which said: “Today, one of our members has died.” That is the reality for so many people who have been affected.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman makes the right point, which we have all heard from our constituents; my constituents have made representations along those lines, too. All I can say is that there is nothing stopping me moving this forward.
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Question
Two weeks ago, I met a gentleman called Barry. Can I ask my right hon. Friend whether we will see compensation before any more of us leave this place?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend is ingenious in her question, but I go back to what I said: I will do everything I can to put in place all the elements to allow us to respond substantively.
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Question
People infected and affected need tangible action now to help to alleviate that suffering. The question the Minister has to answer is when he will establish a full compensation body and when that will become operational.
Minister reply
I am obviously going to have to repeat myself several times. I have set out clearly what is new today: the psychological support and the appointment of the necessary experts, in a matter of days.
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Question
In a couple of weeks I have a constituent coming to see me who is a family member of one of the victims. If I showed her this statement, she would immediately point out things such as “summer 2024” and say, “That is just too long.” Can the Minister give me some assurance that, by the time I see that lady, there will be a little bit more certainty?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question and I will happily talk to him privately. In the past 35 days I have done everything I can to move the scheme forward.
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Question
Does the Minister agree with that assessment, and will he apologise to those affected for the excessive delays in delivering compensation to victims?
Minister reply
I reaffirm what I have said about my commitment to doing this as quickly as possible. Of course I regret the delays that have occurred over many years, and I want this to be brought to a conclusion as quickly as it can be.
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Question
Will the Government be making these payments within their own lifetime?
Minister reply
I will give a comprehensive response along the timetable that I set out earlier.
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Question
Why has it taken until today to announce a bespoke psychological service for people infected and affected by infected blood products, and why will it take until the summer to set up that service?
Minister reply
The timing of the delivery of the service has been worked through with NHS England. The Minister wishes it could have been sooner but is pleased about making progress.
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Question
Can the Minister help David Corroyer, who contacted hepatitis C in the '70s and gave evidence to the inquiry?
Minister reply
The Minister cannot respond to individual cases but has ensured that professional expertise is available to properly interrogate all cases.
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Question
How long will victims now have to wait for what the House has asked for?
Minister reply
The Government’s comprehensive reply will be given 25 sitting days after the publication of the report.
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Question
Why is it taking so long to compensate those infected and affected, despite previous commitments in opposition?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the complexity and difficulty but commits to doing everything possible to bring resolution during 2024.
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Question
Why is this statement a 'cruel, cruel tease' given previous delays?
Minister reply
The Minister does not accept the characterisation but acknowledges the need for complex matters to be addressed properly.
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Question
What steps forward has the Minister taken to resolve this issue during 2024?
Minister reply
The Minister committed to doing as much as possible to update the House early in the new year and will address more issues at Cabinet Office questions.
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Question
Has the Minister met Sir Brian Langstaff about the constant delay in paying compensation?
Minister reply
The Minister has not yet met Sir Brian but is building on previous work to reach a substantive response.
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Question
Does the Government accept the principle of an independent compensation body as per Sir Brian Langstaff's recommendations?
Minister reply
The Minister recognises the sensitivity about trust and needs to reach a conclusion on the delivery mechanism carefully.
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Question
What assurances can be given that Eileen and her family will receive recognition and compensation for their loss?
Minister reply
The Minister announced today the expertise needed to deal with recommendations and said a substantive response would follow after 25 sitting days from report publication.
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Question
What new legislation is required for compensation?
Minister reply
The Minister recognises that a large number of people have been excluded, but work will be undertaken to ensure the fairest settlement.
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Question
Why is there no timeline reflecting urgency despite the minister's commitment?
Minister reply
The Minister recognises disappointment and commits to doing everything possible to bring forward resolution as quickly as can be done.
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Question
The victims want to hear a clear timeline for when final compensation payments will be made. There is a view that the Government are trying to kick this issue into the next Parliament, and that the Treasury is dragging its heels. Will he confirm that this issue will be all resolved before this Parliament is dissolved?
Minister reply
That is my expectation. I am doing everything I can to bring this to a substantial conclusion after the publication of the final report. I am speaking to colleagues in many Departments, and working with officials across Government to get to the end point that I have set out several times this afternoon.
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Question
I thank the Paymaster General for his statement. During the last topical questions to the Cabinet Office, I asked the Paymaster General whether he had the figures for those who have sadly passed away this year, before compensation had been made available to them. The Minister committed to confirming those numbers so, two weeks later and with no reply, has he been able to access the figures I asked for, as we approach the rise of the House for Christmas 2023?
Minister reply
I am not aware whether those figures are available yet, but I will ensure that the moment I leave this Chamber, I will do everything I can to get the hon. Member a response on that. If I cannot give them, I will let him know why.