§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what information he has on how many companies are imposing compulsory HIV testing of their employees; and whether this practice is consistent with the guidelines of the Health and Safety Executive.
§ Mr. ForthI am not aware that a significant number of employers carry out HIV testing of employees or potential recruits. Most employers follow the advice given in "AIDS and the Workplace", jointly published by my Department and the Health and Safety Executive last year, that in all ordinary workplace activities the risks of transmission of the virus are negligible and infected individuals do not pose a risk to colleagues, customers or the public. HIV infection does not automatically make someone unfit for work and testing employees and recruits for HIV antibodies is unnecessary. In the case of existing employees, compulsory tests are unlikely to be admissible under most existing contracts of employment.