To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements are in place for blood specimens held by the Blood Transfusion Service to be used in research to test for vCJD; and if she will make a statement. (141008)

Access to blood samples held by the National Blood Service is subject to the approval of the service and where necessary the approval of an appropriate Research Ethics Committee.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many requests her Department has received for blood specimens held by the Blood Transfusion Service to be used in research to test for vCJD; and if she will make a statement. (141009)

No record of requests are held by the Department, any such requests received would be referred to the National Blood Service for their consideration.