AIDS (Hansard, 27 November 1986)

§ Mr. Alton
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on funding for the public health laboratory service and on its programme of work connected with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome virus.

§ Mrs. Currie
Funding of the public health laboratory service by this Department has increased from £22 million in 1982–83 to £29 million in 1986–87. In real terms, at 1986–87 prices, this represents an increase of £2 million between 1982–83 and 1986–87. The Department has

Benefit Additional Withdrawn Financial impact on disabled

(1) Industrial injury benefit — April 1983 Broadly neutral, because the money saved (£5 million in 1983–84) was used to pay industrial disablement benefit earlier and to waive the contribution conditions for sickness benefit and invalidity benefit payable to those incapacitated by industrial disablement.

(2) War pensioners vehicle scheme — November 1983 Replaced by war pensioners mobility supplement.

(3) War pensioners mobility supplement November 1983 — Replaced war pensioners vehicle scheme. Increased spending on mobility for war disabled (£0.2 million in 1983–84).

(4) Non-contributory invalidity pension — November 1984 Replaced by severe disablement allowance payable at the same rate.

(5) Severe disablement allowance November 1984 — Replaced non-contributory invalidity pension.

(6) Special hardship allowance — October 1986 Replaced by reduced earnings allowance payable at the same rate.

(7) Reduced earnings allowance October 1986 — Replaced special hardship allowance.

§ Mr. Wigley
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much of the additional public expenditure announced in the Chancellor's recent autumn statement will be for the direct and specific benefit of disabled people.
352W
provided the public health laboratory service with an additional £740,000 per annum since 1985–86 for work on AIDS, mainly diagnostic testing. In addition the service has funded other AIDS related work costing some £500,000 from its existing resources.
The future funding of the public health laboratory service is under consideration; no decisions have yet been taken.

§ Mr. Meacher
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the level of current expenditure and in each of the last four years on, respectively, research into an acquired immune deficiency syndrome cure or vaccine, screening of persons for acquired immune deficiency syndrome antibodies, advice on counselling for acquired immune deficiency syndrome victims, national publicity for a public health education programme, regional publicity, support for voluntary bodies combating acquired immune deficiency syndrome and clinical care, including hospices, for acquired immune deficiency syndrome victims; and how much is now planned for each of the next three years.

§ Mr. Newton
I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Benefit	Additional	Withdrawn	Financial impact on disabled
(1) Industrial injury benefit	—	April 1983	Broadly neutral, because the money saved (£5 million in 1983–84) was used to pay industrial disablement benefit earlier and to waive the contribution conditions for sickness benefit and invalidity benefit payable to those incapacitated by industrial disablement.
(2) War pensioners vehicle scheme	—	November 1983	Replaced by war pensioners mobility supplement.
(3) War pensioners mobility supplement	November 1983	—	Replaced war pensioners vehicle scheme. Increased spending on mobility for war disabled (£0.2 million in 1983–84).
(4) Non-contributory invalidity pension	—	November 1984	Replaced by severe disablement allowance payable at the same rate.
(5) Severe disablement allowance	November 1984	—	Replaced non-contributory invalidity pension.
(6) Special hardship allowance	—	October 1986	Replaced by reduced earnings allowance payable at the same rate.
(7) Reduced earnings allowance	October 1986	—	Replaced special hardship allowance.