HC Deb 14 January 2003 vol 397 cc526-7W
Pete Wishart

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations were(a) sought and (b) received from the Scottish Executive regarding the purchase of Life Resources Incorporated; and what consultations have taken place between his Department and the Scottish Executive regarding access to resources stored in Life Resources Incorporated; [88780]

(2) what future consultations he plans with the Scottish Executive regarding access to resources stored in Life Sources Incorporated; and what financial resources (a) have been received from and (b) will be paid by the Scottish Executive regarding access to resources stored in Life Resources Incorporated; [88781]

(3) what role the Scottish Executive played in the purchase of Life Resources Incorporated; and whether the Scottish Executive will have representation at board level; [88782]

(4) what representations were received from the Scottish Executive regarding bonus payments to be paid out in future years to Life Resources Incorporated; [88783]

(5) whether contracts on behalf of the NHS in Scotland have been made with Life Resources Incorporated, for the purchase of plasma products that are free of vCJD, for use within the NHS in Scotland. [88784]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 13 January 2003]: The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) has its own independent sources of non-UK plasma. The Scottish Executive were therefore not involved in the Government's decision to purchase Life Resources Incorporated to secure supplies of non-UK plasma for the national health service in England. Accordingly, no consultations or financial transactions took place with the Scottish Executive concerning the purchase of Life Resources and the Scottish Executive will have no involvement in the future management of the company.

SNBTS is not currently supplied with plasma by Life Resources Incorporated. Should SNBTS decide in future to tender for plasma supplies, Life Resources could be one of a number of commercial plasma suppliers that might compete for this contract.