§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will review the disposal of National Health Service property in the light of future needs resulting from the likely spread of AIDS.
§ Mrs. CurrieHealth authorities are responsible for keeping their estates under regular review and disposing of any properties for which there is no future requirement. In discharging this responsibility, we expect authorities to take into account any plans for the development of services for those suffering from AIDS.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to compensate those haemophiliacs who have been infected with AIDS by Factor VIII brought from the United States of America.
§ Mr. NewtonI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether anti-viral lubricant agents will be made freely available for use in conjunction with condoms as an added measure to prevent the spread of the AIDS virus;
(2) whether in the Government's advertising campaign to promote safer sex and the prevention of the spread of AIDS virus he will be advising people to use the anti-viral lubricant agents in conjunction with condoms.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 12 December 1986, c 294]: Current advice is that if a lubricant is used with a condom it is important that it should not weaken the condom material, as can happen with some oil-based gels. It is theoretically possible that anti-viral agents added to lubricants might provide additional protection against HIV (the AIDS virus). Products promoted as anti-viral lubricants require licences under the Medicines Act 1968 and have to be assessed for quality, safety and efficacy: this assessment would also involve consideration of interaction with barrier contraceptives. At present, there are no product licences in force for any anti-viral lubricant for use in conjuction with condoms as a prophylactic against HIV infection.