Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 19 October (WA 71–2), what steps were taken by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) to ensure that gamete providers were informed that embryos were used in research without their consent at centre 0102 between 20 December 2005 and 2 May 2006; what were the circumstances in which this came to light; which concerns associated with properly informed consent pertained to Research Licence R0075 and Research Licence R0133 at the time; and what has been the history of relations with the HFEA of the Person Responsible for Research Licence R0075 and the Nominal Licensee for Research Licence R0133.
Answer
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that the issues to which the noble Lord refers came to light during the inspection, in respect of research licences R0133 and R0075, on 2 May 2006. The findings of the inspection were considered by a HFEA licence committee on 26 July 2006. The inspection report and minutes of the Licence Committee are published on the HFEA's website at: http://guide.hfea.gov.uk/guidefinspection Report.aspx?code=102&s=1&&nav=4&archive=1. The HFEA has advised that the available records do not set out in any detail the steps taken by the authority with regards to the centre informing the gamete providers. The HFEA has also advised that it does not comment on its relationship with any person responsible or nominal licensees.