HC Deb 02 December 1993 vol 233 cc702-3W
Mr. Spellar

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ban the import of blood and blood products from countries which use paid donors.

Mr. Sackville

This country is self-sufficient in blood obtained from our voluntary, unpaid donors and we do not obtain supplies from other sources. It is our long-standing policy to pursue self-sufficiency in blood products made from voluntary, unpaid donations and to seek to maximise the use of those products. We nevertheless recognise the clinical freedom of doctors to prescribe other products if considered more appropriate for individual patients.