§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Prime Minister whether she will consider waiving legal aid requirements to enable all HIV-positive haemophiliacs to instigate immediately court cases against regional health authorities; and whether she will consider granting a further ex-gratia payment prior to the courts receiving a settlement in these cases.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI have been asked to reply.
271WNo. The Lord Chancellor's Department has responsibility for such matters. It advises that legal aid will continue to be available subject to the usual criteria.
In respect of a further ex-gratia payment, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South West (Mr. Butcher) on 6 November at columns 450–51.