§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when the first case of acquired immune deficiency syndrome in the United Kingdom came to the attention of the Department; and what action was then taken.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe first case was reported to our Department in December 1981. Arrangements were made immediately for the surveillance of AIDS cases to be undertaken by the communicable disease surveillance centre. In July 1983, with our support and participation, the Medical Research Council set up a working party to review scientific knowledge and research on AIDS worldwide, to encourage contact and co-operation between research workers in the field, and to advise the Council on the current state of knowledge and on topics for research. In August 1983 we issued a leaflet asking those who believed they were in the high risk groups for AIDS not to give blood. With regard to other action taken, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Dr. Mawhinney) on 20 February, at columns497–500.
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§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will set out in tabular form the number of diagnosed cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome in the most recent 12-month period, indicating how many, and what percentage, involved (a) practising homosexuals, (b) persons injecting themselves with drugs and (c) other causes which he is able to specify or identify.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe information for 1984 is as follows:
No. Percentage of total Practising homosexuals/bisexuals 70 90.9 Intravenous drug abusers — — Haemophiliacs 1 1.3 Persons connected with Central Africa 5 6.5 Others/unknown 1 1.3 Total 77 100.0