§ Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the answer of 22 April, Official Report, column 567, whether the restrictions on blood donations are to apply to all who have visited certain parts of Africa or only to those who have had sexual intercourse with persons living in those countries, as stated in his Department's press release entitled "People who must not give blood", issued on 29 April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe long-standing practice (designed to reduce the risk of transmitting certain tropical diseases) is to ask all potential donors who have lived in or visited certain parts of Africa not to donate blood until 12 months after their return to the United Kingdom.
The restrictions introduced in August 1984 (which, as announced on 28 April, are now to be slightly amended to discourage donations from prostitutes and people with AIDS or the AIDS antibody) apply to potential donors who, in addition, have had sexual relations with men or women living in those parts.