§ 19. Sir Raymond Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Wales what recent representations he has received asking him to take early steps to make acquired immune deficiency syndrome a notifiable disease in Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI have not received any representations on this matter.
§ Sir Raymond GowerDoes my hon. Friend agree that information from other countries, including the United States and Australia, shows that there is a terrifying possibility that this disease will spread? Does he also agree that there is probably far too much complacency about the matter in this country?
§ Mr. RobertsThe Government are certainly not complacent. We are very concerned, but the consensus of the DHSS expert advisory group on AIDS is that there are, as yet, no clinical grounds to support making AIDS a notifiable disease. However, the point is very much under consideration. While appreciating the gravity of the problem, we are anxious not to cause unnecessary panic.