Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects the Infected Blood Inquiry to publish its final findings and recommendations; and what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of awarding interim payments as soon as possible to those previously accepted as eligible for support.

The timing of the independent Inquiry is a matter for Sir Brian Langstaff, the Chair of the Inquiry. Sir Brian has made clear his intention to complete his work as quickly as reasonable thoroughness allows.

As the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry, I announced on 7 June the publication of the study by Sir Robert Francis QC into a framework of compensation for people directly affected by infected blood (HCWS79). Sir Robert will give evidence about his work to the Infected Blood Inquiry on 11 and 12 July.

The government is considering Sir Robert’s recommendations and it is most important that the government is able to reflect upon Sir Robert’s evidence and the evidence of others to the Inquiry as part of that consideration.