HC Deb 29 April 1987 vol 115 c165W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans to arrange for staff of his Department to be screened for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to the reply, 30 March, c. 385]: No.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether any current or former staff in his Department have been found to have developed AIDS or antibodies to HIV.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to the reply, 30 March, c. 385]: I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of Health on Wednesday 22 April, at columns 627–8.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to ensure that staff of his Department are warned about those homosexual and other activities which are deemed to have a high risk of AIDS infection.

Mr. Scott

[pursuant to the reply, 30 March, c. 385]: In April 1986, the Management and Personnel Office, after consulting the Chief Medical Officer DHSS, circulated all Departments with guidance to managers and model letters to staff.

Relevant guidance and information has been given to staff whose duties may put them in contact with AIDS sufferers or samples containing the AIDS Virus. Information has also been provided to personnel management and welfare staff.

The need for wider guidance is being kept under review.