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Contaminated Blood Scandal: Interim Payments for Victims
19 July 2022
Lead MP
Michael Ellis
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
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Other Contributors: 21
At a Glance
Michael Ellis raised concerns about contaminated blood scandal: interim payments for victims in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Government Statement
The Paymaster General, Michael Ellis, acknowledges the ongoing issue regarding compensation for victims of infected blood and highlights that Sir Robert Francis QC's study was commissioned by his predecessor to design a fair compensation framework. The study, published in June, includes 19 recommendations covering various aspects of creating a compensation scheme. Ellis emphasises the Government’s commitment to providing prompt responses but notes the complexity involved in ensuring justice for victims, especially given the urgent need for interim payments proposed by Sir Robert Francis.
Diana R. Johnson
Lab
Kingston upon Hull North
Question
Johnson questions the delay in implementing Sir Robert Francis' recommendation for £100,000 interim payments to victims of infected blood and demands an announcement on this before the summer recess.
Minister reply
Ellis acknowledges the complexity and interconnectivity involved but assures that careful consideration is being given to Sir Robert's detailed evidence. He emphasises the Government’s commitment to acting responsibly throughout the process.
Question
Brine, as co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on HIV and AIDS, asks if work is underway to identify eligible individuals for interim compensation payments or whether consideration remains ongoing. He also mentions that an urgent question from the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North has become a staple due to delayed progress.
Minister reply
Ellis clarifies that all recommendations are under active consideration, and significant progress is being made since the inquiry's commencement by his predecessor. The Government recognises the importance of identifying eligible individuals but stresses that comprehensive work remains necessary.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Question
The MP thanked Mr Speaker for granting an urgent question and paid tribute to her right hon. Friend's campaigning on behalf of the victims of contaminated blood scandal. She criticised the Government’s slow response, requesting details about Sir Robert Francis's report recommendations and urging for expedited publication and action on compensation framework.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that officials are working hard to give the matter full consideration. He noted the seriousness with which officials across Whitehall view this issue.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
The MP welcomed Sir Robert’s work and urged for expedited payments to people affected by contaminated blood, noting their suffering and time sensitivity.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the strength of the point made.
Question
The MP congratulated the right hon. Member on securing the urgent question and noted a case in his constituency. He asked about Sir Robert’s recommendation to start work now on setting up a compensation framework and for interim payments to bereaved partners, parents, and children.
Minister reply
The Minister recognised the power of the point made but could not prejudge the matter as analytical work needs to be done.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Question
The MP, a member since 2015 of the all-party parliamentary group on haemophilia and contaminated blood, urged for interim payments now to constituents still awaiting compensation.
Minister reply
The Minister noted his hon. Friend’s eloquent point.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Question
The MP inquired about interim payments for those affected by the loss of a loved one over decades.
Minister reply
The Minister could not prejudge decisions on this matter but noted that it has his full attention.
Richard Holden
Con
Basildon and Billericay
Question
The MP asked about conversations with the Treasury to allocate a sufficient budget for compensation.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged issues across Whitehall but stated that work is continuing.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
The MP highlighted the delay and suffering of constituents waiting decades for compensation.
Minister reply
The Minister reiterated his feelings on the matter, acknowledging the time elapsed but stressing expeditious processing.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
Question
The MP provided statistics of victims who have died and asked if Sir Robert’s recommendation 14 has been costed.
Minister reply
The Minister was conscious of the passage of time and reiterated efforts for expeditious processing.
Question
The MP, on behalf of a lifelong friend who had factor VIII contaminated blood, urged for urgent interim payments.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the tragic example provided and noted that Northern Ireland aspects will be considered properly.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham and Chislehurst
Question
The fact that interim payments have been recommended implies urgency in compensating victims. With more than 400 deaths since the inquiry was set up, why does the Government need to wait for a full response to the 19 recommendations before implementing interim payments?
Minister reply
It is not true that the Government are waiting; they are working across Whitehall to produce results and there is expedition on the part of officials.
Question
The Irish Government established a compensation tribunal over 25 years ago, yet the UK continues to leave victims in hardship. Will the Paymaster General commit now to key recommendation 14 on interim payments?
Minister reply
I cannot prejudge the matter at this stage.
Sammy Wilson
DUP
East Antrim
Question
419 people have died and one more is estimated to die every four days. Why can't the Government act on interim compensation payments as recommended, given that they had the necessary information before Sir Robert Francis gave his evidence?
Minister reply
The matter is complex and interconnected across Government, which makes it particularly difficult.
Question
My constituent has been infected with hepatitis C and developed cirrhosis of the liver. How soon will the Government implement Sir Robert’s recommendation for interim payments of no less than £100,000?
Minister reply
As soon as is reasonably possible.
Question
With 400 deaths since the inquiry started five years ago, will the Government finally implement interim payments now or wait for more people to die before justice is given?
Minister reply
The characterisation of waiting for people to pass on is completely wrong and does not do justice to those working hard to get the right result.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
Interim payments are a common feature in personal injury litigation and do not prejudice any inquiry. What prejudice is there to the Government in making interim payments now?
Minister reply
The matter is complex, interconnected, and requires working effectively and correctly.
Question
What conversations have been had with Treasury officials about releasing funds for interim payments immediately given the urgency of the situation?
Minister reply
The matter is understood to be urgent, important, complex and interconnected. The House's questions help reiterate that it should be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
More than 400 people have died since the publication of the report five years ago. Will the Minister commit to a reasonable timescale for action to ease the minds and financial difficulties of victims and their families?
Minister reply
Time is of the essence, and I am very conscious of that.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Question
There is no good reason why interim payments cannot be made. Given that ministers were given false information in the past, will the Minister commit to an inquiry into why MPs were misled by officials?
Minister reply
I am not aware of the detail but I will look into whether there was deliberate misinformation.
Shadow Comment
Diana R. Johnson
Shadow Comment
The Shadow Paymaster General, Diana R. Johnson, criticises the Government's inadequate response and stresses the urgency of providing interim compensation to victims affected by infected blood products. She points out that over 3,000 people have died from this issue with a high death rate continuing at one person every four days on average. Johnson questions why the Government has not implemented Sir Robert Francis' recommendation for £100,000 interim payments and urges for an announcement before the summer recess.
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