PQ 1141/2001/2002 HanRef Vol 627 Col338 - 340 Written answer about Hepatitis C, Lord Morris asks what further consideration has been given to the Haemophilias Societys request for a public inquiry into the infection of haemophilia patients with Hep C by contaminate NHS blood products. Lord Hunt responded p1 - Careful consideration has been given but do not believe that is the way forward. , The plight of individuals and families affected by vCJD was a result of a unique set of circumstances. The Government considered that society as a whole should bear a moral responsibility...Even though we were advised that we were unlikely to be legally liable, we considered it right to make payment to the victims and their families. Baroness Gardner of Parkes asked at P1) Can the Minister tell the House whether the situation in this country is different from that in France where ....the Government knowingly allowed HIV-transmissible injections to be used for haemophiliac patients? I believe that one of the Ministers admitted to that. Are we sure that that was never knowingly done in this country? Lord Hunt In the early 1970s, clinicians knew there was a risk of hepatitis...however, there was great demand and enthusiasm for the new treatment from haemophiliacs and doctors. The impact of hepatitis C was not fully understood at that time and its effects were unclear. It was not until the mid -1980s and the attempt to prevent HIV that heat treatment was first used. It was not until then that there was a process which could have prevented hep C infection.