§ Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement regarding progress on the upgrading of the blood products laboratory at Elstree; whether he is satisfied that the amount of money allocated for this programme will enable it to be carried out effectively on schedule; and when he expects the United Kingdom will be self-sufficient in blood products.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe building of the new production unit at blood products laboratory, Elstree is progressing satisfactorily, and is presently due to be completed by the original target date of January 1986.
This new production unit, when completed, will have the capacity to meet the estimated needs of the National Health Service in England and Wales for all blood products. Scotland and Northern Ireland are virtually self-sufficient already.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to increase British production of factor 8 and 9 blood products and reduce dependence on United States imports.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe Government decided in 1982 that self-sufficiency in all blood products, including Factors 8 and 9, should be achieved, and that the blood products laboratory at Elstree should be rebuilt to provide the capacity to manufacture the blood product needs of the National Health Service in England and Wales. Work commenced in May 1983 and the project is presently on time for completion in January 1986.