HC Deb 08 February 1988 vol 127 cc79-80W
Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what information he has about the decision of the United States national institutes of health to instruct all biological laboratories to review their safety guidelines following the reported infection of two laboratory workers with the AIDS virus after working with concentrated samples; and whether he will carry out such a review of procedures in medical and biological laboratories in Wales.

Mr. Grist

The Department receives advice on such matters from the Government's Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens and the expert advisory group on AIDS.

In July 1986 comprehensive advice was issued to all concerned in the ACDP document "LAV/HTLVIII—the causative agent of AIDS and related conditions—revised guidelines". Guidance is constantly under review to ensure that it reflects the latest expert opinion both in the United Kingdom and abroad. We have no plans to initiate a special review to supplement these arrangements.