Minister 'sorry' for blood scandal

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Ms Milton said she was "deeply sorry about the events" that led to the infection of patients in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Government announced it would not match compensation payments with those in the Irish Republic as it would cost an estimated £3 billion - but ministers pledged to look again at people infected with hepatitis C.

MPs spoke of the "human tragedy" of the scandal during a backbench Commons debate led by Labour former minister Geoffrey Robinson, as victims and their families looked down from the public gallery.

Mr Robinson's motion calling on the Government to match compensation payments with those of the Irish Republic was defeated by 285 votes to 44, majority 241.

Ms Milton told MPs: "I am indeed deeply sorry about the events that led to the infection of people treated with blood products with HIV and hepatitis C.

"We always welcome new knowledge, but with that knowledge comes often deep regret about events that happened in the past."

The minister added: "In the United Kingdom decisions over tax and spend are made here in this Parliament. The decisions of the Irish parliament, like those of any other national parliament, have no authority here in the UK."

Shadow health minister Diane Abbott, making her Commons debut as a frontbencher, called on Ms Milton to explain the £3 billion figure.

She said: "I would like to commit myself to working with members across the House to get the best possible outcome for people, some of whom many of us have met today, who have suffered so cruelly, so unfairly and for so long."