§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what plans he has for increasing the manufacture by the National Health Service of substances for haemophilia treatment and to reduce reliance on commercial sources in the light of the high cost of commercial preparations and the fact that they are more likely to be contaminated with hepatitis;
(2) why the National Health Service has not reached its target of self-sufficiency in the production of factor VIII for the treatment of haemophilia by July 1977; why none of the three plasma fractionation centres in the United Kingdom is working at full capacity; and what his plans are to remedy this.
§ Mr. Moyle:The production of factor VIII in England and Wales estimated in 1975 to be needed was exceeded by July 1977, and production has risen substantially since then. The two fractionation centres for which my Department is responsible are working at full current capacity. My Department is reviewing current levels of production in relation to present demands and resources.