To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) what plans her Department has to submit (a) written evidence and (b) oral evidence from (i) Ministers, (ii) civil servants and (iii) NHS staff to the independent public inquiry chaired by Lord Archer into contaminated blood and blood products; and if she will make a statement;

(2) whether her Department has been asked to provide (a) Ministers, (b) civil servants and (c) NHS staff as witnesses for oral evidence in the independent public inquiry chaired by Lord Archer into contaminated blood and blood products; and if she will make a statement.

Lord Archer of Sandwell wrote to the Secretary of State for Health in February to invite the Department to give evidence at the independent inquiry.

Officials met with members of the inquiry team on 25 April 2007 to discuss what information the Department may be able to provide to the inquiry. We have made available a recently completed document on the "Review of Documentation Relating to the Safety of Blood Products 1970-1985 (Non A Non B Hepatitis)", and the supporting references. Copies of the document are available in the Library.

Officials continue to liaise with the secretary to the inquiry team.