Written question asked by Lord Morris of Manchester (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Darzi of Denham (Labour) on Thursday, 18 June 2009.

Health: Contaminated Blood Products

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement by Lord Darzi of Denham on 20 May (WS 121–22), how the average annual payment of £6,400 for the Macfarlane Trust's beneficiaries was determined; and whether any meetings between officials at the Department of Health and the trust have demonstrated that the sum may need adjusting.

Answer: A broad indicator of the annual level of benefit currently available through the Macfarlane Trust was calculated by dividing the total number of beneficiaries into the total expenditure of the trusts, the result being an overall average of £6,400. Officials also referred to information from the trust about the amounts payable to individuals. There is no reason to adjust the £6,400 figure as the Government's response to Lord Archer's recommendations makes clear that in future all infected beneficiaries will receive £12,800 per annum.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4131; 711 c227WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Health: Contaminated Blood Products
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Written statements
House of Lords
Subjects: Compensation Contamination Blood HIV/AIDS Haemophilia NHS Blood transfusions Macfarlane Trust
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk