Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many employees of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have been suspended or charged with misconduct as described in the HFEA's document on Discipline Policy since it was issued in January 2007.
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it does not hold a record of the particular witnessing system used in each licensed centre. Information on the sanctions imposed by HFEA licence committees in response to adverse incidents is recorded in individual licence committee minutes and investigation reports. Specific information about the number and nature of licence conditions or other sanctions in response to incidents not brought to light by media attention, and the number and nature of sanctions following media coverage of incidents, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The HFEA has advised that since its document on discipline policy was issued in January 2007, no employees have been suspended from duty and there have been five cases of misconduct. In accordance with information collected since October 2007, none of its employees has been suspected of fraud or corruption. The HFEA has also advised that the interim chief executive has not been approached by anyone wishing to make a disclosure, as described in its document on Public Interest Disclosure produced in September 2006.