Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Dan Carden (Labour) on Friday, 2 January 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 January 2026. It was answered by Louise Sandher-Jones (Labour) on Monday, 12 January 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Argentina: Blood Transfusions

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to adjournment debate of Tuesday 11 November 2025 entitled Blood Transfusions during the Falklands War, what plans his Department has to investigate Argentine blood transfusions to British service personnel aboard SS Uganda during the Falklands war.

Answer

As I wrote to my hon. Friend on 18 December 2026, the Department will review the evidence he has presented in the coming months. Having conducted a search, we determined the Ministry of Defence (MOD) does not hold information relating to Argentine blood transfusions to British Service personnel aboard SS Uganda during the Falklands war. However, the Surgeon General for the Armed Forces is further investigating this matter.

I encourage individuals who believe they may have received infected blood in the course of Armed Forces treatment overseas, including veterans of the Falklands War, to contact the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).

As with all cases, evidence will be assessed on the balance of probabilities, meaning the IBCA will need to be satisfied that it is more likely than not that the person got their infection from blood or a blood product as opposed to another route.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
101799
Session
2024-26
Related items
Blood Transfusions during the Falklands War
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects
Armed conflict Falkland Islands Blood transfusions Argentina Veterans
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk