§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether diabetics requiring insulin injections will be precluded from obtaining disposable syringes or needles from the centres announced in his Answer of 18 December to the hon. Member for Halifax (Mr. Galley) Official Report, column 703; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe schemes refered to in my right hon. Friend's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mr. Galley) on 18 December at column703 are being set up specifically to counter the spread of the AIDS virus among injecting drug misusers. Any exchange of used and 436W possibly infected needles and syringes will be accompanied by advice and counselling for the individual's drug misuse problem and about AIDS and the risks of infection through the use of contaminated equipment.
If single use or disposable syringes and needles are necessary for diabetic treatment they may be supplied through the hospital service. Free reusable syringes and needles are supplied to all diabetic patients requiring them.