asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, the Government (a) have taken and (b) propose to take, to implement the recommendations No. R (87) 25 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, adopted on 26 February, 1987 concerning the fight against AIDS; the moneys which have been provided for this purpose in 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - AIDS Strategy Funding.
56.
The recommendations constitute a comprehensive strategy for controlling the spread of AIDS which corresponds to the strategy which has been put in place here over the last five years. The committee's recommendations have, therefore, already been implemented.
As the epidemiological picture changes, additional measures in line with the principles of the strategy, will be introduced. In this regard special measures to tackle the problem of HIV infection among IV drug abusers are now being put in place. A sum of £450,000 has been made available by the Government from lottery funds for AIDS prevention programmes in 1988. To date £70,000 of this money has been disbursed.