§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to income generation within the blood transfusion service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI encourage the Scottish national blood transfusion service to generate income in appropriate ways. In particular, income is generated through commercial companies contracting to meet the costs of research projects which are of value also to the National Health Service. Income is received from private medical establishments to meet the cost to the blood transfusion service of handling and processing blood and blood products supplied. Because the blood is freely given by blood doners, no charge is made for the blood itself.