Ministers in Britain have agreed to a three-month deadline to introduce a compensation scheme for victims of the tainted blood scandal, but warned this could be “inevitably” delayed if parliament does not meet.
While making no mention of an election, the Lords’ deputy leader, Earl Howe, pointed out that “dissolution, prorogation or postponement” could affect the government’s ability to take action, but added that this “poses a risk was and no more.”
Westminster will rise for the summer recess at the end of July.
The government’s concession to impose a timetable on the compensation scheme came after the government was accused of trying to ‘wiggle out’ of a House of Commons-backed measure to speed up payouts following a Tory rebellion.
Facing further defeat in the Lords, the government agreed to a Labour-led demand to introduce a system within three months of the Victims and Prisoners Bill becoming law.
Thousands of patients became infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. The ministers were accused of delaying too long in the area of compensation.
Speaking at the report stage of the Bill, Lord Howe said: “Victims of this scandal have waited far too long for justice and the Government shares the House’s determination to ensure that compensation reaches victims quickly.”
He added: “We recognize that Parliament and the infected blood community need clarity on when these measures will be in place.
“I can now say that the Government supports the Opposition’s amendment to establish regulations establishing an infected blood compensation scheme within three months of Royal Assent, and we are committed to doing so.”
Howe added: “There is also the challenge that we need to build trust with the infected blood community in the provisions of the programme. This would require sufficient time with both ministers and parliament available before the regulations were adopted.
“We are aware of the need to take action as quickly as possible to provide compensation to the victims, regardless of any external pressure that may arise.”
Confirming the acceptance of the opposition amendment, he said this was “in the spirit of consensus, albeit in light of the practical reservations I have expressed which entail a risk and nothing more”.
Howe said: “It is the government’s duty and responsibility to provide clarity and reassurance to those who have been let down by the state. I would like to pay tribute to those who continue to campaign and who have brought us to the point where we are today. We have to do this right and we have to do it quickly.”
Nick Thomas-Symonds, Labor Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, said: “The victims of the tainted blood scandal have won another important victory. I pay tribute to those who fought so hard for justice. Labor is proud to have helped bring about this crucial change in the law, in an effort to accelerate the compensation scheme.
“The government is now forced, under pressure from all parties, to set a clear timetable for a final compensation scheme. They now need to make progress – urgently – in getting the body ready to make payments.
“The PvdA will continue to do everything it can to ensure that no more time is lost.”