To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provisions exist in the NHS blood and transplant contract in respect of the re-sale of blood and blood components by private hospitals; and on what date the contract entered into force. (317272)

The current NHS Blood and Transplant contract for the supply of blood to hospitals stipulates that blood components, whether purchased directly or on behalf of a third party, must not be sold on for a profit. This contract came into force on 1 April 2008, and runs until 31 March 2011. Current contractual arrangements allow hospitals to supply blood to other NHS or private hospitals and pass on the costs, provided no profit is made.