§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the blood or blood products of the Scottish national blood transfusion service is sent to England, Wales, Northern Ireland and abroad.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 11 January 1988]: In the most recent accounting period for which figures are available (1 April 1987 to 30 September 1987), 3.94 per cent. of Scottish production of whole blood and red cell products was sent to England. No whole blood or red cell
Male and female life expectancy at age 60, 65 and 70 years Age 60 65 70 Country Male Female Male Female Male Female Scotland1 15.7 20.0 12.6 16.4 9.8 13.0 England n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. Wales2 16.2 20.9 12.9 17.0 10.0 13.5 England and Wales2 16.8 21.4 13.4 17.5 10.4 13.9 1 1984–86 based. 2 1983–85 based. I understand that figures for some other countries are given in "World Health Statistics Annual 1986".
294Wproducts were sent to Wales, Northern Ireland or abroad. In the same period, 0.6 per cent. of Scottish production of plasma products was sent to England; no such products were sent to Wales or abroad. The Scottish national blood transfusion service processes plasma collected in Northern Ireland and returns the plasma products so derived for use in that country: no other plasma products were sent to Northern Ireland.
The Scottish national blood transfusion service also stands ready, in response to a particular emergency, to send blood and blood products to other parts of the United Kingdom, and abroad (although the quantities normally involved are relatively small). The latest example was at the time of the King's Cross underground fire.