HIV/AIDS (Hansard, 25 July 2000)

§ Mr. Pickthall
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking to tackle the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zimbabwe. [133097]
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§ Clare Short
The scale of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zimbabwe is enormously serious. Twenty five per cent. of adults are HIV positive. Fifteen-year-olds have a one in two risk of dying from HIV/AIDS in their lifetimes. It is sinking countless families further into poverty.
We have worked with others to tackle HIV/AIDS in Zimbabwe for a number of years. I have recently agreed to continue and expand this work with a new commitment of over £20 million over five years. This will maintain condom supplies to the poor, provide drugs for sexually transmitted infections, and promote behaviour change, particularly among young people.

§ Dr. Tonge
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she has had with members of the(a) Foreign and Commonwealth Office (b) Ministry of Defence and (c) Department of Trade and Industry concerning the AIDS epidemic in Africa; and how often she had discussed AIDS with them. [132287]

§ Clare Short
The HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa is a major development policy priority for the UK Government. I myself hold regular discussions with other Whitehall Departments on a wide range of development issues, including HIV/AIDS. My Department has an on-going dialogue with FCO and other Whitehall Departments concerning HIV/AIDS policy both at the international level and within the African region. Recent examples include co-ordination with FCO for the UN Security Council Resolution on HIV/AIDS, the EU-Africa summit in April and on preparation of briefing for last week's G8 summit. My Department, with DTI and FCO, is also involved in developing UK policy on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement, this has been raised as one issue in the debate surrounding access to essential drugs for HIV/AIDS.
At a regional and country level in Africa, DFID and the FCO work closely on the implementation of our country strategies, each of which have HIV/AIDS prevention and care as a major priority. HIV/AIDS is increasingly recognised as a potential threat to security in Africa. The new cross-Whitehall forum and shared budget for conflict in Africa (MOD, FCO, DFID, CO, Treasury) will provide an important means for developing a shared policy and priorities on HIV/AIDS and conflict.