英國政府展開了一項公眾調查，目的是查明在七、八十年代，英國國民醫療服務體系（NHS）為何給數以萬計的人提供了含有艾滋病病毒及肝炎病毒的血液制品。被感染的患者們多年來生活拮據，他們要求政府給提供經濟上的支持和補償。政府對這些呼聲都已經記入在內，調查預計將持續超過兩年。

文字稿

The public inquiry is covering events in the 1970s and 80s, which led to tens of thousands of NHS patients being infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products. Nearly three thousand haemophiliacs died as a result of their treatment.

這是一項為了解英國七、八十年代發生的一系列事件而開展的公眾調查，這些事件導致數以萬計在英國國民醫療服務體系就診的病人因輸入了被污染的血液產品而感染艾滋病病毒和丙型肝炎病毒。其中有近三千名血友病患者因接受治療而死亡。

At preliminary hearings last month, concerns were expressed about access to financial support. In his letter to Cabinet Office Minister David Lidington, Sir Brian Langstaff notes "the repeated calls for financial assistance which fully recompenses those who've suffered." He says decisive action should be taken.

在上個月的初步聽證會中，各方對獲得財政支持表示擔憂。布萊恩·朗格斯塔夫爵士在給內閣大臣大衛·立丁頓的信中指出“一再呼吁財政支援，以充分補償受害者”。他說政府應采取果斷措施。

A government spokesman said the inquiry was "a priority" and a reply would be made to the letter "in due course".

一名政府發言人表示，調查是 “當務之急”，將會在 “適當時候” 對這封信作出回應。

1. 詞匯

inquiry 調查
infected 被感染的
HIV 人類免疫缺陷病毒，艾滋病病毒
hepatitis 肝炎
contaminated 被（病毒）污染的
haemophiliacs 血友病患者
treatment 治療
preliminary hearings 初步聽證會
financial support 財政支持
recompenses 賠償
in due course 適當時候

2. 閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題 。 

1. How were tens of thousands of people infected with HIV and hepatitis C?

2. True or false? There were no fatalities as a result of the infection.

3. What have victims repeatedly been asking for?

4. When does the government intend to reply to the letter?

3. 答案

1. How were tens of thousands of people infected with HIV and hepatitis C?
They were infected through contaminated blood products.

2. True or false? There were no fatalities as a result of the infection.
False. Nearly three thousand haemophiliacs died as a result of their treatment.

3. What have victims repeatedly been asking for?
According to Sir Brian Langstaff, those who have suffered have repeatedly called for financial assistance.

4. When does the government intend to reply to the letter?
A spokesman for the government said a reply would be made in due course.