Pay Master General and the Minister for the Cabinet Office
(): Today, Sir Brian Langstaff
has published the final report of the independent Infected Blood
Inquiry. I am authorising a copy of the report to be deposited in
the Libraries of both Houses.
I am very grateful to Sir Brian for his forensic and detailed
report, his team's diligent work over the six years of the
Inquiry, and for the sensitivity and care with which he has
ensured that the people directly and indirectly impacted by the
infected blood scandal have been front and centre of his
Inquiry's work. His report is a very substantial document, and it
will be impossible for anyone reading it not to be deeply
affected by its content. The report lays bare the devastating
consequences of the use of infected blood and blood products, and
I hope it answers the questions that the infected and affected
have been asking for so long.
I have listened to the strongly held views of those members of
the infected blood community that I have spoken with; this day is
about the truth, the community, and a time for reflection about
those they have lost, and the suffering which they have endured
over decades.
It is right that the Government should formally recognise this
significant report on the day of publication, and so the Prime
Minister will give a short statement to Parliament later today.
There will be a further statement tomorrow in the Commons
regarding compensation.
The Government will look to provide the House with a further
opportunity to debate the Infected Blood Inquiry's final report.
