§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) which English regional health authorities have tested blood given by donors for HTLV3 antibodies;
(2) what proportion of HTLV3 tests give false positives (a) in experimental use and (b) in routine use.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe are co-ordinating the evaluation of tests as they become available to assess which will be most suitable in the National Health Service. An important feature of this evaluation is to assess the reliability of tests in terms of false positives and false negatives. No regional transfusion centre is yet routinely testing blood for the AIDS related virus.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that regional health authorities are pursuing a common policy in regard to the prevention of blood donation by acquired immune deficiency syndrome sufferers.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOur policy objective is to ensure that would-be donors who are at high risk of contracting AIDS do not give blood. All regional health authorities have been told to issue our leaflet, "AIDS: Important New Advice for Blood Donors", to all existing and would-be donors on an individual basis. We know of no region which is not implementing this policy.