§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence there is of HIV infection in the heterosexual population.
§ Mr. NewtonTwenty-six cases of clinical AIDS reported in the United Kingdom up to the end of June 1987 probably acquired the infection heterosexually. There have been 205 laboratory reports of HIV antibody positive tests in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to the end of June in persons who are thought to have acquired the infection heterosexually.
§ Mr. Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the evidence that condoms provide adequate protection against HIV.
§ Mr. NewtonI am advised that the evidence for the protective effect of condoms against HIV consists, first, of results of laboratory tests which demonstrate that commercially available latex condoms are impermeable to HIV. Secondly, there are epidemiological data showing reduced rates of infection among individuals at risk of HIV who generally or habitually use condoms when compared with those who do not use condoms.