§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if the question of Government guidance to workers in the National Health Service dealing with patients suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome was raised at the Health Services Industrial Advisory Committee on Wednesday 13 February; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will meet a delegation of National Health Service trade unions to discuss Government guidelines to National Health Service staff dealing with acquired immune deficiency syndrome sufferers.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe interim guidelines on AIDS were published jointly by Health Ministers and the Health and Safety Commission. The Health Service Advisory Committee advises the Health and Safety Commission. I understand, however, that at their meeting on 13 February the interim guidelines were drawn to the attention of that committee's members. Health Service trade unions are represented on the Health Services Advisory Committee. They are also represented on the advisory committee on dangerous pathogens which produced the interim guidelines. We therefore have no plans for separate meetings about the Guidelines with trade unions representing Health Service staff.