§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to the answer of 26 May,Official Report, column 265, he will make it his policy in future, when producing statistics about rates of HIV infection, to make clear whether the figures are based on reported cases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe statistics for HIV infection which the Department publishes in the regular quarterly reports have always been based on cases of HIV seropositivity and AIDS which are reported to the national surveillance centres. This is always explained in the text which accompanies the statistics.
§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what response he has made to representations by the Family Planning Association to the effect that cuts in family planning clinics are increasing the risk of young people catching HIV infection.
§ Mr. NewtonIn correspondence with the Family Planning Association I have expressed the view that public awareness of the risks of transmission of HIV infection and the consequent demands on the services of family planning clinics are among the issues for health authorities to consider in determining the level of local provision.