HC Deb 20 January 1987 vol 108 cc535-6W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the progress made during Britain's presidency of the European Community in combating the spread of AIDS.

Mr. Newton

My right hon. Friend outlined the progress made in this country and our plans for further action in his speech during the debate on AIDS in the House on 21 November.

In the European Community proposals have been developed for coordinated research as part of the fourth general Community medical research programme 1987–1989. Member States have also cooperated with other international organisations, notably the WHO collaborating Centre on AIDS in Paris, which published on 5 December its latest report on "AIDS Surveillance in Europe."

The European Council on 5–6 December asked the Council of Ministers and the Commission to ensure effective exchange of information in the Community about the spread of AIDS, its prevention and treatment, and to consider further cooperative measures.

Mr. Frank Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if the new pamphlet on AIDS is being distributed to (i) prisoners, (ii) hospital patients and (iii) patients attending drug and veneral disease clinics;

(2) what steps he is taking to distribute the pamphlet his Department has produced on AIDS to homeless people.

Mr. Newton

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Home Office, is arranging to distribute copies of the AIDS leaflet to prisoners.

We are supplying all doctors, nurses and hospital managers with copies of the leaflet, and making them available also to retail pharmacists. We are also producing a poster version of the leaflet for use in waiting rooms.

The leaflet will shortly be available in post offices and is being offered to such public outlets as libraries and Citizens Advice Bureaux. These are natural points of collection for homeless people, and we are also examining the possible role of appropriate voluntary organisations.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has concerning the incidence of AIDS by ethnic grouping.

Mr. Newton

[pursuant to his reply, 12 December 1986, c. 294]: The records do not show the ethnic origin of all acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients in the United Kingdom, but such information as we have to November 1986 is as follows:

  • White 466
  • Non-White 17
  • Not Stated 116