Assisted Reproduction (Hansard, 21 July 2004)

§ Mr. Amess
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the Human Fertilisation and Embrylogy Authority inspects clinics outside the United Kingdom involved in egg and sperm collection; and if he will make a statement: [185015]
(2) how much the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority spent on overseas visits for (a) inspection and (b) public relations purposes in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement; [185030]
(3) which overseas fertility clinics the Human Fertilisation and Embrylogy Authority (a) visited in each year since 1997 and (b) plans to visit for inspection purposes; and if he will make a statement. [185031]

§ Miss Melanie Johnson
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) does not inspect treatment or research establishments outside Great 355W Britain and Northern Ireland. Members and senior officers of the HFEA do make overseas visits to learn more about practice in other countries and to attend and speak at international conferences. They have also visited overseas establishments to investigate issues relating to the provision of treatment services within the United Kingdom. These included Cryos International Sperm Bank in Aarhus, Denmark in November 2003 and Global ART in Bucharest, Romania in July 2004.
The cost to the HFEA of overseas visits since 2003 are shown in the table:

Costs of overseas visits by HFEA members and staff 2003–04

Cost (£)

2003¹ 5,481

2004^1,2 10,039

¹Includes attendance of a number of HFEA staff at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual conference to meet requests for information and provide speakers for the main conference and fringe events. ² Figures from 1 January to 19 July 2004.

Figures from 1997 to 2002 can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Amess
To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the sale of(a) human eggs and (b) human sperm is permitted in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [185016]

§ Miss Melanie Johnson
The sale of human gametes (sperm and eggs) is prohibited in the United Kingdom. Under section 12 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, no money or other benefits shall be given or received in respect of the supply of gametes unless authorised by directions from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). These directions authorise a maximum payment of £15.00 per donation plus reasonable expenses. The HFEA's code of practice gives guidance to clinics on what claims could be considered as reasonable expenses.

Costs of overseas visits by HFEA members and staff 2003–04
	Cost (£)
2003¹	5,481
2004^1,2	10,039
¹Includes attendance of a number of HFEA staff at the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology annual conference to meet requests for information and provide speakers for the main conference and fringe events.	² Figures from 1 January to 19 July 2004.