英国政府展开了一项公众调查，目的是查明在七、八十年代，英国国民医疗服务体系（NHS）为何给数以万计的人提供了含有艾滋病病毒及肝炎病毒的血液制品。被感染的患者们多年来生活拮据，他们要求政府给提供经济上的支持和补偿。政府对这些呼声都已经记入在内，调查预计将持续超过两年。

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.

这是一项为了解英国七、八十年代发生的一系列事件而开展的公众调查，这些事件导致数以万计在英国国民医疗服务体系就诊的病人因输入了被污染的血液产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疗而死亡。

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.

在上个月的初步听证会中，各方对获得财政支持表示担忧。布莱恩·朗格斯塔夫爵士在给内阁大臣大卫·立丁顿的信中指出“一再呼吁财政支援，以充分补偿受害者”。他说政府应采取果断措施。

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

一名政府发言人表示，调查是 “当务之急”，将会在 “适当时候” 对这封信作出回应。

1. 词汇

inquiry 调查
infected 被感染的
HIV 人类免疫缺陷病毒，艾滋病病毒
hepatitis 肝炎
contaminated 被（病毒）污染的
haemophiliacs 血友病患者
treatment 治疗
preliminary hearings 初步听证会
financial support 财政支持
recompenses 赔偿
in due course 适当时候

2. 阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题 。 

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.