§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to encourage regular testing for HIV antibody status amongst laboratory workers handling the virus; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department with the Health and Safety Executive has already issued guidance that local arrangements should be made to test, or store for future testing, serum from those laboratory staff who request this in connection with their work. The take-up of this facility is entirely voluntary.
Regular testing would not play any part in further reducing the extremely remote risk of HIV infection by laboratory workers through occupational exposure.