§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has made to insurance companies in the United Kingdom in connection with references in the supplementary questionnaire for life insurance applications to high-risk groups established by health authorities; and what consideration he has given, in relation to public education on the risk of HIV infection, about the relative merits of reference to high-risk groups and to high-risk behaviour.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe occasionally hear of letters from insurers which imply, or are taken to imply, that the Government require insurers to send supplementary lifestyle questionnaires to applicants for life insurance. This is not the case, and we bring cases that come to our attention to the Association of British Insurers so that it can take the matter up with the company involved. We no longer refer to risk groups, as it is a person's behaviour which determines whether they are at risk of contracting HIV, not their membership of a particular group in society. Our public education campaign messages reflect this.