§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe of 8 February, what steps have been taken to obtain evidence on the disadvantage after the infection has been discovered in respect of employment prospects and ability to obtain life insurance and mortgages, suffered by people who became infected with HIV via blood transfusions; and what comparisons have been undertaken between the situations of such people in the post-infection phase and that of haemophiliacs in the post-infection stage.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe do not believe that any useful purpose would be served by such a survey of the financial circumstances after infection of any particular group with HIV. Our ex-gratia payments to haemophiliacs recognise their wholly exceptional circumstances whereby they were doubly disadvantaged by their pre-existing haemophilia as well as the HIV infection. We have no plans to extend these special arrangements to other groups.
The full facilities of the National Health Service and a range of social security benefits are available to all those infected with HIV who suffer illness, unemployment or loss of earnings.
Country 1970 1975 1980 1985 Latest estimate United Kingdom 2.45 1.81 1.89 1.80 1.84 (1988) France 2.48 1.93 1.95 1.82 1.82 (1987) West Germany 2.02 1.45 1.44 1.28 1.35 (1986) Italy 2.43 2.21 1.69 1.41 1.41 (1985) European Economic Community — — — — 11.61 (1987) 1 Estimate. Source: Eurostat, Population and Social Conditions, 1989.