Just occasionally the Government gets it wrong, and I find it necessary not to follow the helpful advice provided by the Whips. Last Monday was one such occasion when debating the Victims and Prisoners Bill. The victims in question this time were those people infected by contaminated blood transfusions going back as far as the 1970’s.
To be clear the Government has gone much further than any other in recognising the scandal which happened and the injustice to the victims and their families which has dragged on for so long. the rt. Hon Theresa May MP set up a statutory public inquiry which had been resisted since the 1980’s and some interim compensation payments have already been made. But the fact is that many victims have died without ever having received compensation, some are now very elderly and family members who were cross-infected have yet to be included in many cases.
The Government planned to take more steps in the New Year but after such a protracted delay there really is no excuse for not getting on with it before more victims are no longer with us. The cross-party amendment I supported did exactly that and send up mechanisms to speed up the pay-outs. In the end the amendment was won by just 4 votes but how much better if the Government had just accepted it and speeded up doing what it has commendably already committed to, for which it deserves credit.
Congratulations to 8-year-old North Lancing Primary School pupil Niamh O'Hagan who has won my constituency Christmas card contest with an entry showing some very festive Lancing beach huts. The Prime Minister was very impressed when I presented him with a copy last week and I look forward to using it as my official Christmas card this year. Thanks to all the schools who took part with runners up from Heronsdale and Lancing Prep.
Look forward to seeing everyone at Light Up Shoreham on Friday and I will be back for a festive street surgery at the Shoreham Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning.
