Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report by Sir Robert Francis QC on Compensation and Redress for the Victims of Infected Blood – Recommendations for a Framework, published in March 2022, if he will take steps to implement the recommendation in paragraph 9.136 of that report that arrangements should be made immediately through the existing support schemes for an interim lump sum payment of compensation to be made to every living infected person accepted by a support scheme as eligible for annual support payments.  [27500]

[Due for Answer on 4 July]

ANSWER

The Minister for the Cabinet Office (Michael Ellis): I refer the Rt Hon. member to the answer given to PQ 16932 on 20 June 2022.

* * *

[Lisa Nandy:  To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, when he expects the Infected Blood Inquiry to publish its final findings and recommendations; and what assessment the Government has made of the potential merits of awarding interim payments as soon as possible to those previously accepted as eligible for support.  (16932)

Michael Ellis: The timing of the independent Inquiry is a matter for Sir Brian Langstaff, the Chair of the Inquiry. Sir Brian has made clear his intention to complete his work as quickly as reasonable thoroughness allows.

As the responsible Minister for the Infected Blood Inquiry, I announced on 7 June the publication of the study by Sir Robert Francis QC into a framework of compensation for people directly affected by infected blood (HCWS79). Sir Robert will give evidence about his work to the Infected Blood Inquiry on 11 and 12 July.

The government is considering Sir Robert’s recommendations and it is most important that the government is able to reflect upon Sir Robert’s evidence and the evidence of others to the Inquiry as part of that consideration.]