Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Infected Blood Inquiry

Thursday 23 November 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government have accepted the moral case for compensation for those affected by the infected blood scandal.
  • The Minister cannot specify a date for interim payments of 100,000 but identifies it as the highest priority.
  • Minister aims to report on compensation preparations and appoint a chair for the appropriate body to run the scheme after gaining collective agreement.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Barbara Keeley Lab
NHS
Context

The infected blood scandal has left many families in need of recognition and compensation for their suffering.

Question

What progress his Department has made on implementing the interim recommendations of the infected blood inquiry. The Government have accepted the moral case for compensation but it is only reasonable that the response is fully informed by Sir Brian Langstaff's final report, which is anticipated in March next year.

Answer from John Glen

I strongly commend the right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Dame Diana Johnson) for her work for those who have been impacted by the infected blood scandal, and I look forward to working across the House on this important issue. The Government have accepted the moral case for compensation but it is only reasonable that the response is fully informed by Sir Brian Langstaff's final report, which is anticipated in March next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Progress made before the final report's release

How: Under Review, Anticipated In March Next Year

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Q2 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
NHS
Context

Recommendation 12 from the final report on compensation calls for interim payments of £100,000 to be made to recognise deaths and alleviate immediate suffering.

Question

Eight months ago, recommendation 12 of the final report on compensation called for interim payments of £100,000 to be paid. Can he tell the House when those interim payments will start to be paid?

Answer from John Glen

I cannot tell the right hon. Lady that today, but in the seven days that I have been in this post I have recognised this to be my highest priority in the role. There are a number of complex issues that I need to come to terms with, but I am familiar with the whole issue from my previous role as Chief Secretary to the Treasury. This might be a matter of gamekeeper turned poacher, but I understand the mindset of the Treasury and how we can get a solution that deals with the range of recommendations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for interim payments

How: Cannot Say Anything More Of Substance Today, Complex Issues To Come To Terms With

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Q3 Barbara Keeley Lab
Standards & Ethics
Context

A constituent's father died following infected factor VIII treatment, leaving the family unable to properly grieve due to stigma around HIV/AIDS.

Question

My constituent contacted me after a statement in which the former Paymaster General said that the Government accepted that there is a moral case for compensation for those affected by the scandal. When will interim compensation payments be made to the estates of those who have died and to those affected whose parents have died?

Answer from John Glen

The best answer I can give the hon. Lady is that it will be “as quickly as reasonable thoroughness permits”, as the inquiry chair said in his response. I am totally aware and sincere in my appreciation of the frustration that exists on this issue. As I say, seven days in, I am doing everything I can to move things forward and to gain assurances from across Whitehall so that I can update the House as quickly as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for interim payments

How: As Quickly As Reasonable Thoroughness Permits, Doing Everything I Can

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Q4 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Veterans
Context

A victim of the infected blood scandal dies every four days, with no reason to delay setting up a compensation scheme.

Question

Can the Minister tell us when he hopes to report on preparations for compensation and appoint a chair for an appropriate body to run the scheme?

Answer from John Glen

What I can say to the hon. Lady is that I am familiar with the range of activities that need to take place. I am getting into the detail of every single one of them, but I have to gain collective agreement before I can announce anything to this House. This House will be the first place I make any announcements, when I have secured that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for reports and appointments

How: Have To Gain Collective Agreement, First Place I Make Any Announcements

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