§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, further to his answer of Monday 6 April, Official Report, column 107, if he will indicate when this policy on restricting blood donors was implemented; and if he will estimate the anticipated reduction in the number of blood donors.
§ Mr. NewtonThe National Blood Transfusion Service has maintained for at least 25 years the policy of deferring potential donors following their return to the United Kingdom from certain tropical areas.
Additionally, since September 1986 potential donors have been asked not to give blood if they have visited certain parts of Africa and have had sex with men or women living there.
These restrictions affect only a minute proportion of potential donors and have not resulted in any identifiable reduction in donor numbers.