HC Deb 14 July 1986 vol 101 cc411-2W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Service whether additional funds are to be made available through joint finance to enable local authorities to provide social work service to sufferers from acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hayhoe

The allocation of joint finance funds is a matter for local decision by joint consultative committees which comprise representatives of health authorities, local authorities, voluntary bodies and family practitioner committees, Proposals for joint finance funding are decided according to local priorities and it is open to JCCs to consider the special needs of sufferers from acquired immune deficiency syndrome in making their decisions.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether any Government funds are currently available for research projects to study the possible transmission of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome virus by insects;

(2) whether he is aware of any current or proposed research projects to study the possible transmission of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome virus by insects.

Mr. Hayhoe

I understand that exploratory work is being undertaken at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to see whether mosquito cells will support the replication of the AIDS virus but my Department is not supporting any research projects in this field nor, I understand, is the Medical Research Council, which receives grant-in-aid from the Science Vote of the Department of Education and Science and is responsible for co-ordinating research on AIDS in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice has been given to local authorities about the provision of social work services to acquired immune deficiency syndrome sufferers.

Mr. Hayhoe

Information about the acquired immune deficiency syndrome and advice on the infection control measures to be adopted by staff providing services to people with the AIDS-related infection will be issued to local authorities in the near future.