§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will indicate the cash available to combat acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Wales, where treatment for acquired immune deficiency syndrome in Wales will be located, how much cash each centre will receive, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mark RobinsonMy right hon. Friend the Minister for Health recently announced that the Government were making £912,000 available in 1985–86 to combat AIDS, in addition to the £978,000 that had previously been announced. These funding measures, from which Wales will benefit, provide for the development of a training programme for counsellors, and testing of blood samples at Public Health Laboratory Service laboratories, assistance for voluntary organisations, and public health education work. In addition, the Government have channelled £376,000 for research into AIDS through the Medical Research Council.
In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales has made available £335,000 this year to provide facilities for the screening of blood donations at the Welsh regional blood transfusion centre, Rhydlafar. Testing began earlier this month. The Welsh Office has issued advice to health professional groups which might come into contact with people carrying the virus.
District health authorities are providing facilities, including counselling, for people who wish to be tested for antibodies to the AIDS-associated virus. Testing of these samples is being carried out at the public health laboratories at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan and the University hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
So far, four people have been diagnosed in Wales as having AIDS, of whom three have died. Treatment has been given at district general hospitals.
I shall be representing Welsh interests on the ministerial group recently announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Health. Its task will be to ensure co-ordination and co-operation between all Departments concerned with AIDS matters, and the Welsh Office will be playing a full and active part in its deliberations. We are keeping the situation under continual review and will be issuing further advice.