House of Commons – Dec. 4, 2023 – 23

New Clause 27 - Compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal (No. 2) “(1) In accordance with section 2(3C), the Secretary of State must, within three months of the passing of this Act, establish a body to administer the compensation scheme for victims of the infected blood scandal. (2) The body created under this section must be chaired by a judge of High Court or Court of Session with status as sole decision maker. (3) In exercising its functions, the body must— (a) have regard to the need of applicants for speed of provision, simplicity or process, accessibility, involvement, proactive support, fairness and efficiency;

(b) involve potentially eligible persons and their representatives amongst those in a small advisory board, and in the review and improvement of the scheme;

(c) permit the hearing of applicants in person;

and (d) have an independent appeal body which will reconsider decisions of the scheme referred to it. (4) The Secretary of State may by regulations make further provision about the body established under this section. (5) For the purposes of this Act, a victim of the infected blood scandal means any infected or affected person whom the Second Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, as laid before Parliament on 19 April 2023, recommends should be admitted to a compensation scheme. (6) This section comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.”—(Dame Diana Johnson.)