§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to prevent the sale of cadaver kidneys by British firms to patients in other countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenWe have no knowledge of any such sales. The United Kingdom transplant service does participate in various international schemes for Me exchange of human organs for transplantation, principally for a small number of selected kidney patients who can only accept an almost identically matched organ or who have a rare blood grouping. These organs are not sold, although a charge may be made to cover the cost of procurement and transport.
Any payment to a live donor or to the estate of a deceased donor would be contrary to Government policy and an infringement of a Council of Europe resolution which provides that human tissue should not be offered for profit. If the hon. Member has evidence of any such transaction I will arrange for the matter to be investigated.