Contaminated Blood Inquiry
Debate between Stephen Doughty and Chloe Smith(6 years, 10 months ago)
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Chloe Smith
I, too, remember speaking on behalf of my constituents in a Backbench Business Committee debate, as many of us have done.
I thank the hon. Member for Coventry North West (Mr Robinson) for his contribution, and for his recognition that this is a cross-party affair. It has been because of the length of time—decades—it has taken to get to today. I particularly welcome his recognition that the Government are now acting and that they, in his words, deserve credit for doing so.
As I said to the hon. Member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk (Martyn Day), there are certain categories of documents that will be desirable when executing this inquiry. As I said before, the Government will give the inquiry all the resources necessary, so that it can complete its work. We would all wish to see an inquiry that is comprehensive, independent and effective for the families who need answers after too many years.
Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)
I have spoken before about the experiences of my constituent David and others who have been affected by this tragedy, and this is also of great interest to members of the all-party group on HIV and AIDS, given the number of individuals who were infected by HIV, some of whom of course went on to develop AIDS and to die from it, in a national disgrace. I must press the Minister further: can she say whether we are talking about days, weeks or months until the judge is appointed and the inquiry gets under way?
Chloe Smith
We are talking about this happening very shortly—it certainly will not be months—and I look forward to being able to make an announcement to the House.