Health Bill [HL]

I regret enormously that we could not have at this stage of the Bill the full discussion that this report merits, but self-regulation rules in your Lordships' House, including in Grand Committee. Noble Lords must have been aware of that earlier this afternoon. Amendment 133, laid by my noble friends Lord Morris and Lord Corbett, is based on a recommendation made by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Archer, in his recent report, published on 23 February. The report, as we all know, considered the supply of virus-contaminated blood and blood products, and its devastating effect on the haemophilia community in particular from the early 1970s until tests became available for hepatitis C and HIV. Noble Lords will be aware that my noble and learned friend’s report is a wonderful document. I warmly thank him again, and my noble friend Lord Morris, for their work on behalf of haemophilia patients and their families. We recognise that the lives of many people have been seriously impaired and appreciate that noble Lords wish to take every opportunity to remedy this situation as far as they are able. The establishment of a statutory committee is one of a number of recommendations made by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Archer. The Government take the report very seriously. We are giving careful consideration to all the recommendations. In light of this, it would be premature to implement any one of the recommendations before we have had time to consider the implications. However, some feedback from the Government on this matter is entirely possible before we reach the next stage of the Bill, which I hope that noble Lords will take into consideration. My noble friend asked about vCJD screening tests. He is quite correct that no screening test was available. Getting a validated screening test is a priority. Prion filters are available, which we are testing with all speed. Those tests are still under way. Addressing this situation is a priority. We are taking the matter very seriously indeed. There is no doubt that this group of patients has suffered tragic consequences as a result of these serious infections. It is important to ensure that the patients concerned and their families are properly supported, and to act to reduce as far as practically possible any future risk to patients who need blood and blood products. I am sorry that we are unable to consider the matter further. I suspect and hope that we shall have a much longer and more serious debate on aspects of the report in the House. I have answered one question; we have dealt with it very briefly. That is not a satisfactory way of dealing with the important report of my noble and learned friend. However, until all its aspects have been considered, I would ask my noble friend to withdraw his amendment.