§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reason five of the planned guidance notes on the programmes designed to tackle HIV/AIDS have not yet been published by his Department. [185549]
Mr. Gareth ThomasA large amount of information and guidance on HIV and AIDS is produced by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), other international bodies, other donors and researchers. The task is to ensure our staff are guided by the best possible information which already exists. DFID has therefore been developing an extensive web portal that will enable us to bring together a comprehensive and up to date range of information, for the use of DFID teams globally. This will be available to all UK staff in DFID, FCO and other government 735W departments as well as our key partners in developing country governments and NGOs. It will be launched in August.
DFID has been working with experts to develop new internal guidance on a range of areas. The areas where there is the greatest need—notably treatment and care—are also the most hotly debated issues among experts. In order to ensure a balanced response DFID has worked hard to articulate the most appropriate, evidence-based policy. Inevitably this has taken time and has been adapted as new initiatives evolve (such as the UNAIDS and WHO "3x5" target). DFID is therefore delighted that over the last few weeks the Department has published four new strategy and position papers: "Taking Action: The UK's Strategy for Tackling HIV and AIDS in the Developing World", "HIV and AIDS Treatment and Care Policy", "Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights—a position paper", and "Increasing Access To Essential Medicines in the Developing World".