§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answers of 21 November to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshaw (Mr. Morris),Official Report, column 29, and of 11 January to the hon. Member for Windsor and Maidenhead (Mr. Trend), Official Report, column 145, how haemophiliacs who may have received blood contaminated with hepatitis C will be traced for counselling and treatment if information is not centrally available to identify them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleBlood products Used in the treatment of haemophilia patients have been virally inactivated since 1985. Doctors treating these patients are aware that prior to this date blood products carried the risk of transmission of hepatitis C. We understand that the majority of haemophilia patients have been counselled and tested as part of the management of their condition.