Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Infected Blood Inquiry

Thursday 18 January 2024 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are committed to updating Parliament on next steps within 25 sitting days of publication of the final report.
  • The Victims and Prisoners Bill is working through its next stage, with the Minister ensuring an appropriate response at that time.
  • Interim payments were made in October 2022, and meetings will continue to move this forward as quickly as possible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Samantha Dixon Lab Chester North and Neston
NHS
Context

The interim recommendations of the infected blood inquiry have been made, but there is concern over their implementation and delays in publishing the final report. Victims and families are seeking justice and compensation.

Question

What progress has his Department made on implementing the interim recommendations of the infected blood inquiry? The publication of the final report into the infected blood scandal has yet again been delayed, causing dismay for hundreds of people, including some Chester constituents who are still waiting for justice. Given that the House showed majority support, will the Minister confirm that primary legislation will be introduced to enable a compensation scheme?

Answer from John Glen

The Government are committed to updating Parliament on next steps within 25 sitting days of publication of the final report. The Victims and Prisoners Bill will now work through its next stage, with the Minister working with colleagues across government to ensure an appropriate response.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline for introducing primary legislation was not confirmed

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Q2 Samantha Dixon Lab Chester North and Neston
Justice & Courts
Context

The publication of the final report into the infected blood scandal is delayed, causing distress among victims. The House has shown support for primary legislation to enable a compensation scheme.

Question

Given that the House has shown its majority support, will the Minister confirm that the Government will introduce primary legislation early in the new year to establish a compensation scheme?

Answer from John Glen

The Victims and Prisoners Bill is working through its next stage, with the Minister ensuring an appropriate response at that time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for introducing primary legislation was not confirmed

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Q3 Peter Bottomley Con
NHS
Context

The Minister's Department is responsible for coordinating government action on the infected blood scandal. Sir Robert Francis and Sir Brian Langstaff have indicated that the final report will not address compensation, causing concern among victims' families.

Question

Does he understand that Sir Robert Francis and Sir Brian Langstaff have made it clear that the final report will say nothing more about compensation? People are dying or waiting for justice. Will 25 days after the report's publication in May be too long to wait for certainty and support?

Answer from John Glen

The focus is on moving forward with the appointment of experts. Interim payments were made in October 2022, and meetings will continue to move this forward as quickly as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline for delivering payments was not confirmed

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