PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
EDUCATION AND AIDS (13 July 1993)

That this House agrees with the Government's statement in the White Paper, The Health of the Nation, that HIV infection is perhaps the greatest public health challenge this century; notes with grave concern that the proportion of new infections arising from heterosexual activity, and excluding those associated with drug use, has risen from 2 per cent. in 1985 to 28 per cent. in 1992; recognises that AIDS inevitably kills, that it will be transmitted through ignorance, and that education must play a crucial part in protecting society from this mortal danger; notes the relatively low incidence of HIV infection in the United Kingdom and believes that this has to do with the United Kingdom's strategy hitherto of promoting responsible awareness of HIV and AIDS; lacks confidence that parents who withdraw their children from sex education in schools will teach them the facts and considerations which it is imperative, in their interests and those of their fellow members of society, that they understand; and therefore believes that the Education Bill should be further amended to ensure that all young people between the ages of 11 and 14 years receive at school education about HIV and AIDS, involving both information and careful consideration of the associated issues of responsibility.

Sponsored by:
Lord Howarth of Newport (Labour)