§ 8. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her most recent estimate of the number of patients 191 suffering from kidney disease, and unable to undergo a transplant operation for lack of matching tissue.
§ Dr. OwenOn 17th January there were 873 United Kingdom patients registered with the national organ matching and distribution service as waiting for a kidney transplant. This compares with a figure of 791 one year ago.
§ Mr. DalyellIn view of those 873, are Ministers from my hon. Friend's Department planning to ask Government Whips to shout "Object" when the Kidney Transplant Bill comes up on 7th February?
§ Dr. OwenPerhaps I should declare an interest. I was once a sponsor of a similar Bill introduced by my hon. Friend a few years ago. My sympathy is not, therefore in question. My hon. Friend must try to persuade my right hon. Friend the Chief Whip on this matter.
§ Mr. DalyellNo, you.
§ Mr. LaneWill the Minister say how many kidney transplant operations took place in the last year for which he has figures?