§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many payments have been made by the Skipton Fund to Hepatitis C sufferers who were infected from NHS blood or blood products; and how many applications have been received. [189320]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 16 September 2004]: The Skipton Fund became operational on 5 July. As at 14 September, the Skipton Fund has made 749 stage 1 payments. A total of 1,943 applications have been received.