To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of haemophiliacs who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through blood transfusions when they were children, but are unable to receive hardship funds through the Macfarlane Trust and the Skipton fund; and if she will make a statement. (132463)

The Macfarlane Trust was set up in 1988 to provide financial help to patients with haemophilia infected with the HIV virus and their families.

The Skipton fund was set up in 2004 to administer an Ex-gratia Payment scheme for patients infected with hepatitis C following national health service treatment with blood or blood products. Haemophilia patients who were infected with hepatitis C are eligible for a payment under the Skipton fund.

Anyone eligible for payments should have received them. The Department is examining two cases where individuals claim that they have not received payments they may be entitled to.