HL Deb 19 November 1986 vol 482 cc225-8

2.27 p.m.

Baroness Sharpies

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to combat the spread of AIDS.

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, as my noble friend told the House on 14th October, the Government have taken urgent action on a number of fronts. These include a public information campaign, additional resources for treatment, training of National Health Service staff, research, testing of all blood donations, funding for voluntary organisations and the issue of advice to professionals.

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has recently announced that there will be further press advertising starting next weekend, followed by a poster campaign, and there will be a campaign aimed at young people starting before Christmas. Then a leaflet about avoiding infection with the AIDS virus will be distributed to all homes in the United Kingdom, supported by television advertising. The Government are also supporting research on AIDS. The Medical Research Council is spending 1÷5 million. The pharmaceutical industry, both here and abroad, is undertaking a massive programme of research.

Baroness Sharpies

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Does he agree that the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Birmingham made a significant contribution to yesterday's debate in respect of this very painful subject? Can my noble friend say whether there is any hope that all the organisations involved in fighting this scourge can be brought together so that we do not see such diverse opinions expressed in the press? On a specific point, can he say whether there is any proposal to provide disposable surgical gloves for both dentists and doctors to prevent people catching this disease?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, it is right to say that the wise words of the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Birmingham yesterday are as true an answer as any to preventing the fast spread of this disease. There exists already interdepartmental machinery to co-ordinate action on AIDS. Our concern is that the campaign is conducted as efficiently and as effectively as possible, and it needs to be sustained for some years. We are currently considering how best it can be run in the future.

Lord Mellish

My Lords, is the Minister aware that many of us think that the Government's intentions in this matter are very good indeed, and that they are to be commended for taking this matter as seriously as they obviously are? There were reports, however, that the possible intention was that there would be compulsory testing of blood of all adults in this country. Is that still in the mind of the Government?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Mellish, for his question. I was unaware that there was going to be compulsory testing of blood. The Government's current policy is that public education is the most effective way of combating the spread of the disease. Other possibilities that might be of value have already been examined. We have already made provision for the testing of individuals, but there are certainly no plans at the moment to introduce mass compulsory testing and screening which would involve formidable problems both of principle and practice, not the least being the question of what should be done with those who prove positive.

Lord Winstanley

My Lords, while warmly welcoming the very necessary steps that the Government are now taking, may I ask the noble Lord whether he will agree that the most urgent matter is the pioneering and development of a protective vaccine and of a specific therapeutic agent? Can the noble Lord tell the House whether he is satisfied that funds are adequate for that very necessary purpose, and that international work in that regard is being properly integrated and harmonised?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for the question. One of the great problems about this disease is that the prospects for a cure look extremely bleak. The prospects for a vaccine are possibly somewhat better. However, the fact of the matter is that at the moment the department is providing funding for all worthy programmes that have been put before it to date.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that there is one decision that could be taken without delay? That relates to the spread of AIDS by drug addicts. While it is repugnant to appear to be giving any encouragement to the use of drugs, will the Government now enable needles to be made available free because the need to curb the spread of AIDS at this stage is of overriding importance?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Campbell, for his very good question. The situation at the moment is that the department is in receipt of the Scottish report concerning this particular problem. It is studying the report very closely and will shortly be deciding.

Lord Ennals

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that, certainly from these Benches, we very much welcome the comprehensive initiative that is now being taken by the Government for a disease which I suppose most of us accept is probably the greatest challenge to health in this century? In connection with the services and screening, will the noble Lord agree that, while this is no time for compulsion, there would be great advantage for young people to be tested to make certain where they stand? Can the noble Lord assure me that the facilities will be found and that financial restraints will not stand in the way of such screening as is thought to be necessary?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, facilities are available for those who wish to be tested because they feel they may be at risk. We see no need at present for people who are not in the high risk groups to come forward for testing. At the moment the facilities are there to be taken advantage of.

Lady Saltoun of Abernethy

My Lords, will the Government consider compulsory testing for people employed in the catering trade?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I am sure that all noble Lords are well aware of the extremely comprehensive regulations laid down already, before the outbreak of this disease, concerning all who work in the food and catering industry. The HIV positive food handlers do not pose a particular risk provided standard hygiene precautions are taken. As noble Lords are aware, stringent regulations already apply to people working in the food industry and in restaurants.

Lord Glenamara

My Lords, in the past, say, five years a very large number of people have had operations involving blood transfusions, most of them before the screening of donors started. Is there not a case for inviting all those people who have had operations, say, from five years ago up to the point where screening of donors started, to submit themselves for testing?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, I feel that I do not have an answer to that at this moment. I should be more than happy to write to the noble Lord on the subject.

Lord Shepherd

My Lords, will the noble Lord agree that this is a disease having no national boundaries? To what extent is there international co-operation, particularly in the field of research? To what extent is there co-operation within the Community in regard to research into this disease?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, there is considerable joint action taking place, as I am sure all noble Lords are aware. However, today I am in receipt of information only of the specific nature of what is happening in this country. From what I have read, and no doubt the noble Lord has read, there is co-ordination taking place. I am sure that we not only hope, but know, that it will improve as time goes by.

Lord Gisborough

My Lords, can my noble friend say whether there is any danger of infection via insects such as mosquitoes?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, to the best of the department's knowledge, no, there is not.

Baroness Sharpies

My Lords, perhaps my noble friend did not understand my question about disposable gloves for dentists and doctors. That is my fault. I understand that even if one buys 10,000 pairs at a time they are still 10p each pair. I should be grateful if the noble Lord can say whether there is any prospect of them being given to doctors and dentists.

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, at the moment rubber gloves are available on the basis that I suppose is described as "pre-AIDS". I shall inquire on behalf of the noble Baroness and write to her in answer on the subject.

Lord Kilmarnock

My Lords, have the Government taken note of the suggestion of the chairman of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee that free condoms should be made available in all high street chemist shops? If the Government are aware of that suggestion, are they considering it?

Lord Hesketh

My Lords, at present condoms are available for purchase generally in the United Kingdom. They are also available free, subject to certain conditions, in family planning clinics.