HC Deb 04 November 1992 vol 213 cc292-3W
Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the total sums spent on publicity and information to combat the spread of AIDS/HIV in the national health service every year since 1984 and the percentage of the total budget for health promotion that these figures represent.

Mr. Sackville

Between 1985–86 and 1992–93 the Government have allocated over £73 million to the development of the national AIDS public education campaign.

The table shows the Department of Health and Health Education Authority spend for the development of the national HIV and AIDS public education work including the running costs of the national AIDS helpline and related telephone information services. Not shown in the table are the sums spent by other Government Departments on HIV prevention work within their own spheres of interest.

HIV/AIDS public education
Year Department of Health £ million Health Education Authority £ million
1984–85 Nil
1985–86 0.52
1986–87 7.60
1987–88 6.74 4.47
1988–89 10.00
1989–90 12.00
1990–91 10.00
1991–92 11.00
1992–93 11.225

Since 1989–90 contributions have also been made towards the costs incurred by regional and district health authorities in the development of local HIV prevention initiatives. Regional AIDS (Control) Act reports since 1989–90 record expenditure on local HIV prevention initiatives as follows:

  • 1989–90—£13.4 million
  • 1990–91—£23.4 million
  • 1991–92—£27.95 million

Figures for 1992–93 are not yet available though they are expected to reflect a steady increase in the development of district based HIV prevention work.

Figures recording the total spend on all aspects of health promotion are not collected centrally. However, the Government continue to spend more on HIV and AIDS education than on any other single health promotion programme.