§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to grant special payments to haemophilia sufferers who have contracted the hepatitis C infection as a result of treatment with the human derived blood product factor 8. [154221]
§ Mr. DenhamWe have reviewed the previous Government's decision not to offer financial assistance to haemophilia patients infected with hepatitis C through blood products. We concluded that an exception could not be made to the general rule that compensation or financial help is only given when the national health service, or individuals working in it, have been at fault.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to extend the provision of recombinant factor 8 to treat haemophilia patients of all ages. [154220]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are continuing to give careful consideration to this issue and will make an announcement in due course.