§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many recruits, including Commonwealth recruits, to all three respective military services, have tested positive to (a) HIV; and (b) hepatitis B over the past four years. [HL4983]
§ Lord BachIn accordance with government policy, there is no compulsory testing for HIV or hepatitis B in the UK Armed Forces either at the time of recruiting or during service. It is open to recruits and service personnel to attend civilian or military genitourinary (GU) clinics without going through their GP, if they choose to do this, and legislation to protect the 199WA privacy of patients attending GU clinics prohibits any feedback into the military system. It is therefore not possible to provide comprehensive figures on the number of recruits who have tested positive to HIV or hepatitis B over the last four years. I can however advise that between September 2001 and September 2004, 19 military personnel have been confirmed as having hepatitis B and C or HIV, and of these four were recruits.
As part of new entry training, sexual health advice, including information on the risks of HIV and the use of condoms, is provided to all new recruits to the Armed Forces.
Personnel who consider themselves to be at risk are encouraged to seek confidential counselling and voluntary testing.