§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will outline the specific aspects of the AIDS education programme designed to meet the needs of the deaf;
(2) if he will make a statement explaining the reasons for refusing to renew the grant to AIDS health education and advice for the deaf for 1988–89; and whether the grant will be restored in 1989–90;
(3) if he will allocate an additional separate budget for AIDS education for deaf people in 1988–89.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeDuring 1987–88 and 1988–89 financial support amounting to nearly £113,000 was given by my Department and the Health Education Authority, to AIDS AHEAD a consortium of organisations representing the deaf, for the production and distribution of educational materials including videos, leaflets and posters.
A bid by AIDS AHEAD for further funding in the current financial year is currently being considered, and they have been invited to submit an outline bid for 1989–90.
In setting programmes for AIDS prevention my Department and the Health Education Authority will continue to take account of the educational needs of people with sensory impairment.