Written question asked by Lord Morris of Manchester (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Darzi of Denham (Labour) on Monday, 29 June 2009.

Health: Contaminated Blood Products

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 16 June (WA 198), why the ministerial response on 20 May to the report of the Independent Public Inquiry headed by Lord Archer of Sandwell stated that "the increased payments we are making available will help people infected with HIV to meet higher insurance premiums they may face" when officials were advised by the Association of British Insurers that it was not possible to calculate the total cost of life insurance provision for patients with HIV or hepatitis C or both by contaminated blood products as the premiums would vary for each individual and would be dependent on their particular circumstances.

Answer: As stated in the Government's response to the Archer report, we will be increasing the amount of financial relief to those infected with human immunodeficiency virus to £12,800 per annum. The Government's response did not state that these heightened levels of financial assistance would be sufficient to meet insurance premiums, but that individuals will be able to use this money to help meet their insurance premiums, should they so choose.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4454; 712 c15WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Health: Contaminated Blood Products
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Compensation Contamination Blood HIV/AIDS Hepatitis NHS Life insurance Blood transfusions Contaminated Blood and Blood Products Inquiry
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk