HC Deb 09 November 1987 vol 122 c87W
Dr. Moonie

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the estimated number of carriers, cases and deaths due to infection with HIV, by region, age, and sex, for 1985 and 1986.

Mr. Newton

Cases of AIDS and positive results of HIV antibody tests are reported to the communicable disease surveillance centre for the United Kingdom, excluding Scotland. The Department of Health publishes monthly breakdowns of AIDS cases by patient characteristics and by region, and quarterly breakdowns of positive HIV antibody tests. Copies are in the Library.

It is not possible to make accurate estimates of the numbers of people infected with HIV for the reasons given in my reply of 26 October to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Smith) at column 191.