NHS BLOOD/TISSUE TRANSFERS (HIV INFECTION)

That this House recognises with sadness the plight of those people infected with HIV as a result of contaminated National Health Service blood/tissue transfers; recalls that the Government has given special financial assistance to haemophiliacs infected with HIV under National Health Service treatment by the blood product Factor VIII; notes that the Minister of State for Health has stated that haemophiliacs should be a special case; but believes that there is no logical or legal argument for the Government's refusal to extend aid to non-haemophiliacs infected by contaminated National Health Service blood/ tissue transfers; regrets the Government's failure to recognise their obligations towards this small number of people; and calls upon the Government immediately to included non-haemophiliacs within the category of persons compensated for infection with HIV under National Health Service treatment.