3. 2. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:37 pm on 11 July 2017.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Jane Hutt Jane Hutt Labour 2:37, 11 July 2017

Thank you, Julie Morgan, for those questions. And it was Julie Morgan who led the debate on this issue—in terms of your first question—here in the Senedd. And there was unanimous support from AMs and the Cabinet Secretary for health in terms of pressing for a full public inquiry. And we do, of course, now welcome the Prime Minister’s confirmation that an inquiry will be held into the contaminated blood scandal.

And I think it is important, as Julie Morgan has said, that families particularly of those who lost their loved ones, as a result of the contaminated blood, are consulted about the form that that inquiry will take. I understand that it has been expressed—that desire to consult families has already been expressed. It’s right that we now—. I know that the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport, who added his support for the call for the UK inquiry, will make a statement to that effect. I think we have to say that we are pleased, as Welsh Government, that, at last, the UK Government is going to recognise the strength of feeling of those affected, and their families, but clarify what had happened to them, and fully respect and engage with them, in terms of the form that the inquiry will take. And I would also like to pay tribute to the role that Julie Morgan has played in taking this forward.

Also, in terms of your second question, we need to make sure that we do continue not just the cross-party work, which you lead, Julie, but also, as a Government, that we’re responding in terms of taking forward awareness, in terms of hepatitis C, enabling people to come forward. The campaign launch is very important. And I know that the Cabinet Secretary will want to update on future engagement of the Welsh Government in terms of that opportunity.