§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the efficacy of the heat treatment of both imported and home-produced blood products as a means of preventing people with haemophilia from contracting HIV through their use.
§ Mr. FreemanThe efficacy of heat treatment of all kinds of blood products is continually being assessed by the manufacturers who submit their results to the licensing authority and in addition, are reviewed by the Committee on Safety of Medicines.
§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government have considered applying the vaccine damage payments scheme to the position of people with haemophilia who have contracted HIV through the use of blood products prescribed by the National Health Service.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Government have already provided an ex-gratia payment of £10 million to set up the Macfarlane Trust to meet the special needs of haemophiliacs infected with HIV and their dependants. Claims for compensation are now being pursued through the courts and I am advised these matters are sub judice.