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Question
Will the Paymaster General confirm that a debate on the inquiry's final report could be scheduled for September, giving Members time to study it? Will he also reiterate his commitment to respond to Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations one by one and within a comprehensive response to the report?
Minister reply
The Minister stated that there will indeed be an opportunity to fully debate the content of the inquiry's final report. The Government are considering Sir Brian Langstaff’s recommendations and aim to provide an update to Parliament by the end of 2024 on their progress in responding to these recommendations.
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Question
Can the Paymaster General confirm if the £1 billion mentioned includes the completion of the 90-day interim compensation commitment, and what outstanding quantum remains and when it will be paid?
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that interim payments of £210,000 were made to beneficiaries of infected blood support schemes living with infections on June 24th, bringing total paid compensation to over £1 billion. He committed to ensuring remaining payments are made within the stipulated timeline.
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Question
Will the Paymaster General update the House on whether he is now in a position to ensure all relevant evidence for potential criminal charges will be made available to prosecuting authorities?
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide an explicit update on this issue but reiterated his commitment to ensuring that all necessary actions are taken regarding the provision of evidence for possible legal proceedings.
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Question
Can the Paymaster General reiterate his acknowledgement of the call for memorialisation and confirm if he will appropriately frame a commitment to recommendations by the end of 2024?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the importance of memorialisation but did not commit to specific framing or timelines, instead stressing ongoing work towards comprehensive resolution.
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Question
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I congratulate you on your elevation. I thank the Paymaster General for his statement and the customarily early sight of his statement this morning. The findings of the infected blood inquiry remain a shameful moment for the British state. First of all, I reiterate our apologies to all those whose lives have been changed as a result of this appalling tragedy, which never should have happened. On 20 May 2024, the then Prime Minister confirmed that the Government would pay comprehensive compensation to those who have been affected and infected, as quickly as possible.
Minister reply
I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for the characteristically collegiate way in which he approached his perfectly reasonable questions. I shall deal with them one by one. I will certainly push for the debate to be scheduled as soon as possible. Yes, the Government will respond one by one to the 12 recommendations made by Sir Brian Langstaff. In relation to Sir Robert Francis, I entirely agree with the right hon. Gentleman about the need for transparency. I certainly undertake to publish those findings and that report ahead of the regulation to operationalise the scheme being laid by 24 August. With regard to parliamentary scrutiny, I welcome the scrutiny that there rightly will be on this, whether it is by PACAC or, indeed, by the House more generally.
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Question
May I congratulate you, Madam Deputy Speaker, on your elevation to your position? I welcome the Minister’s statement this morning, but can he say a little more about how the compensation authority will arrive at its decisions? There is concern that advisers have undue influence on the Cabinet Office and that the voices of those who have been infected and affected are not being heard sufficiently in this process. There are concerns about the compensation process and whether that will be in addition to, or conflated with, support payments; the non-payment of exemplary or punitive damages; the lack of recognition of the impact of illegal experimentation or the knowing use of contaminated blood products; and the payments that will be made to estates where people have died. The people who really should be scrutinising this are those who have been infected and affected, so will the Minister commit to involving them in the compensation authority?
Minister reply
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his questions. First, may I say that, of course, the voice of victims should be absolutely central to this. I thank Sir Robert Francis for the work that he did in the general election purdah period to ensure that that is the case. The current proposal is that no immediate changes will be made to the infected blood support schemes. Payments will continue to be made at the same level until 31 March next year, and they will not be deducted from any compensation awards.
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Question
Welcomes the cross-party approach and the work of Sir Robert Francis and David Foley in setting up the IBCA. Asks for more details on ongoing work with the infected blood community, the need to establish trust between victims and the compensation body, and when legislation on a duty of candour will be brought forward.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the cross-party approach and the need for transparency in establishing trust between victims and the IBCA. Will write to victims' groups to ensure their voices are heard. The duty of candour is part of other measures, including the public advocate and ensuring families have appropriate representation at inquests.
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Question
Asks for a meeting with the Minister to discuss extending compensation provision for children of affected persons beyond the age of 18.
Minister reply
Offers sympathy and agrees to meet if written correspondence is provided, acknowledging that support includes those providing care.
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Question
Acknowledges the scale of the scandal and thanks the Minister for his commitment to meeting the 24 August deadline. Asks for more details on the full operation timescale of the scheme in Scotland.
Minister reply
Confirms interim payments will start from October, with final compensation starting by the end of this year. Will meet Health Ministers of devolved Administrations to ensure smooth implementation.
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Question
Welcomes the statement and asks for assurances that the Government are committed to bringing about a culture change needed to prevent future scandals.
Minister reply
Commits to introducing duty of candour, supporting families at inquests, and providing public advocate. Emphasises need for leadership and cultural shift away from institutional defensiveness.
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Question
Congratulates the Minister on his new position and thanks him for progress made. Raises concerns about how payments will be made to estates of those who have died.
Minister reply
Acknowledges concern, echoes tribute to constituent Clive Smith. Government are considering best support through probate process.
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Question
Pays tribute to right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham, raises concerns about ad hoc nature of compensation schemes and requests Minister considers NAO report recommendations.
Minister reply
Acknowledges need to learn lessons from previous compensation schemes to ensure intended beneficiaries receive the money.
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Question
Congratulates the minister and welcomes the statement, paying tribute to campaigners fighting for justice. Highlights local impact with statistics on HIV and hepatitis C infections.
Minister reply
Joins in paying tribute to campaigners, acknowledges unacceptable delay in achieving justice, emphasises learning lessons from the scandal.
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Question
Asks how children identified due to genetic condition will be compensated and supported.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the shameful practice of medical experimentation on institutionalised children, confirms need for appropriate compensation and procedural changes as per Langstaff's recommendations.
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Question
Discusses a constituent's family affected by contaminated blood scandal and seeks details about bereaved families' compensation process.
Minister reply
Offers sympathies to the Blake family, confirms that compensation for relatives is critical.
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Question
Requests update on measures to compensate affected spouses and asks if final payments will be made by end of year.
Minister reply
Confirms intention to make compensation payments by the end of the year, highlights previous lack of support for HIV-infected individuals.
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Question
Inquires about measures to learn lessons from scandal and improve whistleblowing mechanisms.
Minister reply
Promises to respond to Langstaff's recommendations, introduces duty of candour and public advocate for future support.
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Question
Acknowledges the unacceptable length of time victims fought for recognition and justice.
Minister reply
Agrees that decades-long fight for justice is unacceptable, commits to change.
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Question
Emphasises the need to tackle defensiveness culture in addition to delivering compensation.
Minister reply
Acknowledges importance of addressing institutional defensiveness through legislative measures and cultural change.
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Question
Asks if the whistleblower office will be independent.
Minister reply
States that protection for whistleblowers is under constant review, indicating importance of independence.
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Question
Requests regular updates on progress towards resolving the scandal.
Minister reply
Commits to keeping House updated regularly and hopes for a full debate on Langstaff’s report.
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Question
Inquires about progress on duty of candour after 14 years of promises.
Minister reply
Acknowledges loss of trust in public institutions, confirms commitment to bringing in the duty of candour and public advocate.
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Question
Welcomes cross-party support for compensation and asks if affected children's voices will be included.
Minister reply
Confirms that relatives, including children of victims, will have their voices heard in the process.
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Question
Like many Members, I have constituents who have been affected. Indeed, I grew up without a grandmother due to infected blood. Not only did my constituents in Barnard Castle lose a child, but their other son experienced severe mental health challenges, which are lasting throughout his adult life as a consequence of the strain that has been placed on the family because of their long struggle for justice. I am grateful for questions about the duty of candour, but will the Minister agree to regularly update the House on the other measures that will bring about culture change?
Minister reply
I am sure the whole House extends its sympathies to my hon. Friend on the loss of his grandmother as a consequence of this scandal. He is entirely right to highlight the impact that it has had on others: the people we call the affected people as a consequence of this scandal. With regard to the culture of institutional defensiveness, the critical thing is that people do not put protecting individual reputations or the reputation of institutions above what is in the public interest or above the duty of public service. I am not suggesting for a moment that that is an easy thing to lead on, but it is certainly something that this Government are determined to lead on, and of course I undertake to update the House regularly on that.
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Question
Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and congratulations on your elevation to your position. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the public note that all too often in such cases of egregious state failure, prosecutions do not follow? It appears to the public that there is, in some ways, impunity. Compensation is belatedly given; reforms are made; but all too often individuals are not held accountable. That is part of the problem that we are discussing this morning. Will he commit to giving further updates on the steps that may be taken to ensure that individuals are held properly accountable?
Minister reply
Whether individuals are prosecuted is rightly a matter that is independent of Government; that is for the Crown Prosecution Service. What I do undertake to do is ensure that all relevant information is made available to the prosecuting authorities, so that the decision can be an informed decision based on the evidence. I also undertake, as my hon. Friend asks, to keep the House updated on that.