HC Deb 24 October 1994 vol 248 cc498-9W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel in the armed forces have contracted HIV; and if he will make a statement on policy towards those with the virus.

Mr. Soames

Twenty-eight service personnel are known to have contracted HIV. Personnel who consider themselves to be at risk of HIV infection are encouraged to undergo counselling and voluntary testing. Service personnel who are infected are given counselling and receive advice and treatment appropriate to their medical condition. The services continue to employ HIV carriers until their health deteriorates to a point at which it is appropriate to terminate their employment on medical grounds.