§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much blood plasma, collected before screening for HIV antibodies of blood donations was introduced, is currently stockpiled in England and Wales; 72W whether there are any plans to test such plasma for HIV; and what plans there are for the disposal of plasma which cannot be used.
§ Mrs. CurrieA stockpile of frozen plasma has been deliberately built up at the blood products laboratory, Elstree, in preparation for the increased requirement of the new laboratory. Of this stockpile, 176 tonnes has been quarantined and consists of plasma given before testing for antibodies to HIV started in October 1985.
It is not possible to test this plasma for HIV by direct methods. However, it is likely that in some cases indirect methods will be able to show whether some plasma is safe to use.
A committee of experts has recently been asked to advise on the extent to which the stockpile may be safely used and its recommendations are under urgent consideration.
There is sufficient tested plasma in storage to ensure that there will not be a shortage when the new laboratory opens.