§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if his Department will issue urgent guidelines to all National Health Service staff involved in treating patients suffering from or suspected to be suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and if he will make a statement;
(2) What representations his Department has received concerning guidance to National Health Service workers in contact with patients suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke[pursuant to his reply, 14 February 1985, c. 279]: Interim guidelines on AIDS, drawn up the advisory committee on dangerous pathogens, were published jointly by Health Ministers and the Health and Safety Commission on 16 January. Health authorities were told about these guidelines in circular HC(85)2. This asked them to comply with the recommendations as soon as practicable and to bring them to the attention of staff. The guidelines set out the measures to be taken to safeguard the health and safety of people who, because of their work, come into direct contact with AIDS patients or specimens from them. We have received no representations concerning the guidelines.