§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will include in his campaign against the spread of AIDS promotion of the diaphragm, together with the use of a spermicide containing nonoxinol-9; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Government already stress the value of condoms in reducing the risk of transmitting HIV infection. As yet, there is no clinical evidence that other barrier methods are effective, with or without these spermicides. However, this is being kept under review.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what additional resources Her Majesty's Government intend to provide for counselling and treating AIDS patients, for the extra nursing and medical staff, including research staff needed, for the general education of the public about AIDS, and for the provision of clinics and hospices needed for patient care; and what resources will be provided for those needs over five and 10 years respectively.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Government recognise the importance and necessity of allocating resources appropriately to meet the needs of patients and the public with regard to AIDS. My right hon. Friend has set out in his replies to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 1 December 1986 at columns525–526 and to my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mr. Galley) on 18 December at column 703 the level of additional resources already allocated or planned in England for publicity and research, for extra work in the blood transfusion and public health laboratory services, for special counselling for haemophiliacs, for services to drug addicts, for support by voluntary services and for health authorities, who will decide upon the staffing requirement and service provision for patients that is most appropriate to local needs. Similar measures are being taken or are under consideration in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Government will continue to keep the future need for resources under close review in the light of increasing knowledge, both in the United Kingdom and abroad, of how best to meet the problem of AIDS.