§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what negotiations are taking place, or scheduled to take place, with the United States firm, Baxters, in relation to the Central Blood Laboratories Authority operations at Elstree and Churchill hospital, Oxford; what are the terms of reference of the negotiations; when he expects them to be completed; and what plans he has to report publicly on the outcome.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Central Blood Laboratories Authority conducts regular negotiations with other organisations in the plasma fractionation industry with a view to gaining access to methods and processes which might lead to more efficient utilisation of the plasma received from the National Blood Transfusion Service. Baxter Inc is one such company. These negotiations are commercially sensitive and remain confidential.