Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to begin by thanking Julie Morgan as chair, cross-party group members and all of those who’ve contributed to today’s debate. There’s been powerful testimony from all sides, not just about the injustice and unfairness, but in particular about the impact on individuals and families, whether that’s the impact on work, the ability to get insurance, but also the stigma that goes with contaminated blood and the shame that people feel. Whether they’re right to feel shame is an entirely different thing—I don’t think they should be ashamed at all—but it’s how people really do feel and how it’s impacted on their lives. And then, of course, there are the other medical problems, especially those mental health problems. So, I want to say at the outset that I strongly support the call for the Government to hold a UK-wide public inquiry into the circumstances that led to people contracting hepatitis C, HIV or both from NHS-supplied contaminated blood products. I know this has been described as some of the worst treatment in the history of the NHS. People were infected by NHS treatment and it should never have been allowed to happen, but it did and I am truly sorry about the harm that has been caused and the impact this has had and continues to have on those affected.

The impact of those infections on people’s health and well-being has been hugely significant and highlighted again in the Chamber today, with wide-reaching consequences for lives, dreams and aspirations. And, of course, some have lost their lives permanently, as Julie Morgan outlined in opening the debate. I have had the opportunity to hear first-hand, both in the cross-party group but also in private ministerial meetings, about the views of affected individuals and their families, including representatives of Haemophilia Wales and Assembly Members. I’ve been further informed by feedback I’ve had from Welsh Government officials following the recent workshops that they held with those affected to help inform our future direction in Wales on the financial support that we will be able to provide.

What is clear to me and everyone in this Chamber who has listened is the incredible strength of feeling about what happened, and a plain and simple demand to know all the circumstances and facts about what happened. And I support them in that demand, because I know that they seek closure in order to be able to move on. And the calls for a public inquiry over many years across more than one Government by those campaigning have been ignored. To many, we understand that this has added insult to injury. I certainly believe that a full and independent investigation into the circumstances is right and appropriate. In October last year, I wrote to Lord Prior following the Prime Minister’s commitment to consider a review into the issue of contaminated blood, and I asked how the devolved administrations would be engaged. I then wrote to Jeremy Hunt on 20 December adding my voice to the call for a UK-wide public inquiry. And it’s clear that that inquiry can only take place if the UK Government acts. It’s not just because these events took place before devolution. It’s not just because we can’t always know where people were infected. But, of course, only the UK Government has access to the information and the powers for the scope and depth of an inquiry that is required for a meaningful inquiry to help people get to the truth.

It is also true, though, that the scandal was not unique to the UK. What is different, though, is that in some other countries like Ireland and Canada, their governments have instigated those inquiries. I do accept that no inquiry can repair the damage that has been done, but it can ensure that we fully understand in a transparent way how the events of this catastrophe were able to happen. It is important, as well as ensuring those who have been so directly affected by the tragedy know, that we also ensure that we take any learning to help prevent any such thing happening in the future.

Caroline Jones asked directly: have we learned anything? The truth is we have, actually, because if you look at blood products here in Wales, the safety has significantly improved in terms of traceability and testing. I’ve seen some of those systems in place, and the safeguards on visits that I’ve made to the Welsh Blood Service. But that does not get away from the fundamental injustice for those people who have been infected.

As people are aware—and, of course, as was mentioned in the debate—work is under way to reform the system of financial support provided by the Welsh Government. We would have preferred to have done this on a consistent UK-wide basis, but this is where we are. The five infection-specific schemes established since 1988 have evolved in an ad hoc manner, and over time the system has become complex. Some improvements have been made pre and post devolution, such as the introduction in 2009 of annual payments for those with HIV and annual payments for those most severely affected by hepatitis C from 2011.

However, there is widespread dissatisfaction that continues about the way and the extent to which people affected are supported. In reforming support for those affected who will fall within the responsibility of the Wales scheme, I have three priorities. Any move to a new system has to be equitable and operate transparently. Improvements need to be affordable and sustainable within the health budget, and decisions will need to take account of the views expressed by those affected.

So, in October last year I wrote to individuals inviting them to complete a survey to let me have their views on how best to provide support and how it could be tailored better to meet their needs. My officials also held two workshops, one in north Wales and one in south Wales. This overall process has proved invaluable in gaining first-hand the impact of the tragedy on people’s lives and those of their families in many cases. The survey closed on 20 January and I will consider carefully the information and the views that are expressed to me in making a decision of a path forward. Of course, there has been some more money allocated within this year’s final budget. But it will be a difficult task on the way forward and I know perfectly well I will probably not be able to satisfy all of the demands—and understandable demands—that families will want to make upon me and this Government. But I will be completely transparent about any decision I make, how I’ve made it and what I’m able to do to help support families here in Wales. So, I’ll be considering those issues carefully when making a decision on the way forward for Wales.

But I want to finish—because the essential call in today’s debate has been about truth and a way forward—and I absolutely believe it is right and proper that people have answers to their questions about how and why people were infected as well as receiving appropriate support in helping to live with the impact that this tragedy has had and will continue to have.