§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what provision he has made for contacting and counselling those who have received blood transfusions contaminated with hepatitis C; what representations he has received concerning such an information programme; what consultation he has had with the board of management of National Blood Transfusion Service Wales on this issue; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe Government have asked the chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues for Transplantation to set up a United Kingdom working party of experts to draw up guidance to undertake the "look back" programme and to inform the counselling of those identified as being at risk. Guidance on the treatment options available will also be provided. The National Blood Transfusion Service for Wales will implement the "look back" programme to identify those who may have been inadvertently infected by blood collected by the Welsh transfusion centre. The managers of the Welsh Transfusion Service have been kept fully informed of this process.
No representations have been received concerning the "look back" programme.