§ Mr. ButcherTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will implement a scheme of compensation over and above the £10 million granted in November 1987, for haemophilia HIV positive people who have contracted the virus from infected imported blood products during National Health Service treatment.
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§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe £10 million that the Government provided to set up the Macfarlane Trust was an ex-gratia payment and not compensation. I understand that the trust funds are not yet fully committed, but, as we made clear when the £10 million grant was announced. we shall not be closed to any representations about further funding which may be made at a later date.
Some haemophiliacs who are HIV positive are now pursuing compensation through the courts and I am advised that this matter is now sub judice.