Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Thornton (Labour) on Monday, 8 February 2010.

Embryology

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of treatment centres licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have installed IVF Witness; and what percentage of them did so in response to recommendations in HFEA inspection reports or instructions relayed by a licensing committee of the authority.

Answer: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it does not hold a record of the particular witnessing system used in each licensed centre. Information on the sanctions imposed by HFEA licence committees in response to adverse incidents is recorded in individual licence committee minutes and investigation reports. Specific information about the number and nature of licence conditions or other sanctions in response to incidents not brought to light by media attention, and the number and nature of sanctions following media coverage of incidents, could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The HFEA has advised that since its document on discipline policy was issued in January 2007, no employees have been suspended from duty and there have been five cases of misconduct. In accordance with information collected since October 2007, none of its employees has been suspected of fraud or corruption. The HFEA has also advised that the interim chief executive has not been approached by anyone wishing to make a disclosure, as described in its document on Public Interest Disclosure produced in September 2006.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 1634; 717 c81-2WA
Session: 2009-10
Related items: Embryology
Monday, 15 March 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: IVF Radio frequency identification
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk