§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total planned expenditure into research by Her Majesty's Government relating to the HIV virus and AIDS; and what is the planned total for the national health service.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Fearn) on 19 March 1991 at columns85–86.
The Government make available earmarked funds to regional health authorities as a contribution towards the costs incurred in helping prevent the spread of HIV infection and providing treatment, counselling and support for those affected by HIV and AIDS. Since 1985 over £500 million has been made available in this way. Regional and district health authorities have discretion to use these funds for research purposes, but there is no central record kept of the amounts spent or planned to be spent.