§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent the number of blood donors supplying the transfusion service has changed over the last year; and what assessment he makes of the effect on the number of donors of fear of catching, or passing on, acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
§ Mr. HayhoeRecords of the number of donors are not kept centrally, and the frequency of donation varies. The latest figures available from the National Blood Transfusion Service on the number of donations obtained in England and Wales are as follows:
646W
Number Quarter ending September 1983 528,972 Quarter ending December 1983 530,165 Quarter ending March 1984 567,796 Quarter ending June 1984 525,934 Quarter ending September 1984 521,307
Number Quarter ending December 1984 543,589 Quarter ending March 1985 *538,493 Quarter ending June 1985 *525,591 * Provisional. It is not possible to identify the reasons behind such minor fluctuations as have occurred. We have, however, taken every opportunity to reassure the public that there is no risk of contracting AIDS from giving blood.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many haemophiliacs have (a) been identified as carriers of HTLV III virus, (b) contracted acquired immune deficiency syndrome and (c) died as a result of treatment with contaminated blood products.
§ Mr. HayhoeOf the 2,570 haemophiliac patients so far tested, 906–35 per cent.—have been reported positive for HTLV III antibody. Although the test does not detect the virus itself, it is believed that most antibody-positive patients will be carriers of the virus.
According to reports received by the communicable disease surveillance centre, by the end of October, eight haemophiliac patients had developed AIDS, all of whom had died.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he anticipates that synthetic Factor VIII will be available for clinical use.
§ Mr. HayhoeIt is not possible to forecast how long it will take to develop genetically-engineered Factor VIII into a viable commercial product.