Jeff Smith
Last month, the chair of the inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, said that many victims of the infected blood scandal are still living on the breadline today. The inquiry is not due to look at financial support until 2020, so what more now can the Government do to help the people affected?
Mr Lidington
As the hon. Gentleman knows, different compensation packages have been agreed by the Department of Health and Social Care in the different parts of the United Kingdom. Sir Brian did ask the Government to look at the case for some additional measures, which are being considered by the Secretary of State for Health and his ministerial team, and the Minister responsible for mental health, my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Jackie Doyle-Price), is very willing to talk to the inquiry team about that.
[Official Report, 14 November 2018, Vol. 649, c. 297.]
Letter of correction from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office:
An error has been identified in the response I gave to the hon. Member for Manchester, Withington (Jeff Smith).
The correct response should have been:
Mr Lidington
As the hon. Gentleman knows, different financial support packages have been agreed by the Department of Health and Social Care in the different parts of the United Kingdom. Sir Brian did ask the Government to look at the case for some additional measures, which are being considered by the Secretary of State for Health and his ministerial team, and the Minister responsible for mental health, my hon. Friend the Member for Thurrock (Jackie Doyle-Price), is very willing to talk to the inquiry team about that.
The following is a further extract from Questions to the Cabinet Office on Wednesday 14 November 2018.
Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab)
May I suggest to the Minister that one measure that he could take quite quickly is to level up all the payments that those who are infected and affected receive? There is a variation around the United Kingdom at the moment because of devolution, and such a move would go a long way to show good faith to this community.
Mr Lidington
The hon. Lady has always been the most ardent champion of those who have been affected by this scandal, but it is the legal and constitutional position that each part of the United Kingdom is responsible for its own compensation scheme, which reflects the devolution settlement as regards health policy.
[Official Report, 14 November 2018, Vol. 649, c. 298.]
Letter of correction from the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office:
An error has been identified in the response I gave to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson)
The correct response should have been:
Mr Lidington
The hon. Lady has always been the most ardent champion of those who have been affected by this scandal, but it is the legal and constitutional position that each part of the United Kingdom is responsible for its own financial support scheme, which reflects the devolution settlement as regards health policy.