HC Deb 06 July 1987 vol 119 c12W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional funds are being made available to the International Planned Parenthood Federation for work in AIDS-related campaigns; and for what precise purpose such funds are intended.

Mr. Chris Patten

We are providing an additional £1.6 million over three years to enable the federation to develop information and counselling services on AIDS for its health workers and clients.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what funds are being made available to CAFOD for work in AIDS-related campaigns; and for what precise purpose such funds are intended.

Mr. Chris Patten

We have made no grants to CAFOD for AIDS-related campaigns or projects. We believe the best way to tackle the AIDS problem is to work within national AIDS programmes, and we are encouraging other donors and voluntary agencies to do the same. These programmes are being developed with the assistance of the World Health Organisation's special programme on AIDS, to which we have so far contributed £3.25 million.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make it his policy to ensure that the basis of any AIDS campaign run by voluntary organisations overseas, using British Government funds, is that chastity before marriage and fidelity within it should be promoted as being more likely to tackle the spread of AIDS than promiscuous sexual behaviour protected by condoms.

Mr. Chris Patten

We believe assistance in this field, including that from voluntary organisations, should be provided within the framework of national AIDS programmes. The responsibility for developing these, which will include appropriate measures to prevent sexual transmission of the desease, rests with national Governments.

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