Infected Blood Inquiry Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Infected Blood Inquiry

Chris Stephens Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd April 2024

(7 months, 4 weeks ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Glen Portrait John Glen
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There is not a block. Last year, there was a process of looking at how we could work out the costs and the way of translating and operationalising the recommendations. That work is well under way, and Professor Sir Jonathan Montgomery and his team are helping with that. As I say, I hope that in a few weeks’ time we can get to a point where we will be able to make a substantive assertion of the Government’s position.

Chris Stephens Portrait Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)
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Building trust and confidence requires the support of the infected and affected community. Can the Minister confirm that the independent body’s executive will include representation from infected and affected people’s groups who can make decisions on processes, eligibility and decision making in order to build trust and confidence?

John Glen Portrait John Glen
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and for his engagement with me last week as one of the co-chairs of the APPG, when he made a similar point. I am reflecting carefully on what it takes to satisfy the recommendation to have a body independent of Government while also securing as much authority and as much confidence among the different communities involved as possible. I will update the House on that in due course.