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, 5 October 2009.

Health: Contaminated Blood Products

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 29 June (WA 14) saying "the department has contacted the Whips' Office about a further debate on the Government's response to the Archer report", on what date or dates there was any previous debate on the Government's response to the report since the Written Statement by Lord Darzi of Denham on 20 May (WS 121–22) reporting their response to the House of Lords; who from the Department of Health contacted the Whips' Office; in what terms the approach was made; and whether "Whips' Office" means the Government Whips Office or all the whips' offices.

Answer: Since 20 May 2009, no debate has been held in the House of Lords on the Government's response to Lord Archer's independent inquiry into National Health Service (NHS) supplied contaminated blood and blood products. The reference to "further debate" in a previous reply (WA 14) was intended to relate to the most recent request for a debate on Lord Archer's report following the one secured on 23 April 2009, and the debates in the Lords on this issue during the Committee and Report stages of the Health Bill, as opposed to any debate specifically on the Government's response to Lord Archer's report. The department approached the Government Whips' Office by telephone to discuss a further debate in light of what was said in the Health Bill debate. It is for the Government Whips' Office to decide on the order of debates and other business in the House.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5069; 712 c455WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Health: Contaminated Blood Products
Monday, 29 June 2009
Written questions
House of Lords; Health: Contaminated Blood Products
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Written statements
House of Lords
Notes: Answer received between Monday 7 September 2009 and Monday 14 September 2009.
Subjects: Contamination Debates Blood House of Lords NHS Blood transfusions Contaminated Blood and Blood Products Inquiry
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk