§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the latest progress of the Government's efforts to co-ordinate their response to the AIDS crisis and the precise measures taken to this end.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have a four-part strategy for dealing with AIDS which comprises:
- Public health measures, such as screening blood donations and a system of monitoring the spread of AIDS and HIV;
- Public education, so that people can learn how to avoid HIV infection;
- Research into vaccines against HIV infection and anti-viral therapies for those who are infected; and
- Development of services for those who are infected with HIV or who have AIDS itself.
As my right hon. Friend made clear when he addressed the United Nations General Assembly on 20 October, we are also laying stress on the need for international co-operation in this field.
Specific measures taken or in prospect include:
- On 2 September we launched a campaign focusing on the drug-related risks of HIV infection.
- New educational work will be carried forward by the Health Education Authority and an initial allocation of £4.1 million has been made to meet the cost of this in the current financial year.
- The United Kingdom Government and the World Health Organisation are jointly organising the world summit of Ministers of Health on programmes for AIDS prevention, to be held in London in January 1988.
On 23 October in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mrs. Shephard) at column 906 I announced an extra allocation of £7.8 million as a further contribution this year to the three health regions facing special additional pressures from AIDS and for surveillance work carried out by the public health laboratory services. This brings total extra allocations arising from AIDS this year to £16.4 million.
The Social Services Committee made detailed recommendations in its report on problems associated with AIDS, and we expect to respond by Christmas.