§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will establish an acquired immune deficiency syndrome wing within one particular prison, to which all prisoners who have, or who are believed to have, acquired immune deficiency symdrome may be sent.
§ Mr. MellorIt is planned to convert part of the hospital complex at Brixton prison to use as an isolation unit for the care of patients suffering from infectious disease including AIDS. Prisoners who are diagnosed as HTLV III antibody positive but who have no AIDS symptoms will not be considered for transfer to the unit.
§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the arrangements for the custody of a prisoner at Leicester prison whose blood contains acquired immune deficiency syndrome antibodies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorRepresentations have been received from the Prison Officers' Association about aspects of the management of prisoners who are diagnosed as HTLV III antibody positive or who are undergoing tests for viral infectivity. Guidance on this subject has been issued to governors and medical officers of all Prison Department establishments after consultation with the association at national level. Decisions in individual cases are taken by local management in the light of that guidance. For reasons of medical confidentiality I am unable to comment on specific cases.