§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he is satisfied with the level of funding into the spread of the human immuno deficiency virus in heterosexuals.
Mr. JacksonThe Medical Research Council is supporting research on the spread of human immunodeficiency virus in heterosexuals. Funds for this research come in part from my Department and in part from the Health Departments. The MRC is planning additional work in this area for which it is seeking extra funds. In addition to allocations already announced, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has agreed to provide £700,000 in 1988–89 for the MRC's programme of research on the spread of HIV. The Economic and Social Research Council is additionally to launch a programme of research into the social and behavioural aspects of HIV; this programme will concentrate on heterosexual behaviour. United Kingdom researchers also collaborate with scientists working on the problem in other parts of the world.