§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are for donors to be paid for blood donation; and what plans there are for introducing charges for the supply of blood.
§ Mr. SackvilleThere are no plans for donors to be paid for blood donation. We have always supported the principle of voluntary unpaid donation which underpins the safety of the blood supply in this country. We are justly proud of our blood service, and our system of voluntary donation, which we believe to be among the best in the world.
The National Blood Service recoups, through blood handling charges, the cost of collecting, testing, processing and transporting the blood it supplies to hospitals. There is never any charge for the blood itself which is freely given by our voluntary donors.