To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement by Lord Darzi of Denham on 20 May (WS 121–22), what meetings have taken place between officials at the Department of Health and the Macfarlane Trust to ensure that the department had the latest data on the number of surviving persons with haemophilia who had been infected with HIV and hepatitis C by contaminated National Health Service blood products. [HL4130]

Departmental officials and officers of the Macfarlane Trust have met many times in the past to keep each other updated. Most recently, officials met the chairman and officers of the Macfarlane Trust on 27 May 2009.

To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement by Lord Darzi of Denham on 20 May (WS 121–22), what assessment they have made of how much it would cost for the provision of life insurance cover for patients infected with HIV or hepatitis C or both by contaminated National Health Service blood products to be at least as good as the provision made in the Republic of Ireland, as recommended by the Independent Public Inquiry headed by Lord Archer of Sandwell. [HL4132]

Officials discussed the general issue of insurance for haemophiliacs with the Association of British Insurers. It advised that it is not possible to calculate the total cost of life insurance provision for patients infected with HIV or hepatitis C or both by contaminated National Health Service blood products as the premiums would vary for each individual and would be dependent on their particular circumstances.

The position in Ireland is different. The Irish Government set up their hepatitis C compensation scheme, and insurance arrangements, following the finding of a judicial inquiry, the Finlay report, that “wrongful acts were committed”. It is important to stress that the blood services in the United Kingdom (UK) have not been found to be similarly at fault. Payments are therefore being made in very different, specific circumstances in Ireland that do not apply in the UK.