HC Deb 30 March 1987 vol 113 cc341-2W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Prime Minister if she will make a statement on co-ordination at ministerial level between the Department of Health and Social Security and the Department of Education and Science concerning possible changes to the policy of allowing AIDS-infected children to attend school without informing the parents of other children.

The Prime Minister

My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Social Services keep in close touch about policy issues concerned with AIDS and young people. Government policy remains as stated in the guidance issued last year by the Department of Education and Science and the Welsh Office: that children infected with the virus have a right to confidentiality about their condition if they and their parents so choose. If such information is disclosed it should be strictly confined to those within the school who need to know. There is no risk of the AIDS virus being transmitted through normal social contact in a school setting, provided that sensible hygiene precautions are observed.