§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people with haemophilia have30W contracted hepatitis C in consequence of being given contaminated blood supplied under the NHS; how many have since died of the condition; what action she is taking in regard to compensation; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThese figures are not collected centrally. There are methods of transmission of hepatitis C other than the use of blood and blood products. I understand from the United Kingdom haemophilia centre directors that, of 126 haemophilia patients known to have died in 1993, 12 showed the cause of death as liver disease of which hepatitis C may have been the cause.
We have no plans to make payments to haemophilia patients who may have been infected with hepatitis C.