asked Her Majesty's Government:

What support the Department of Health will give the Department for International Development to ensure the development of new HIV prevention tools such as (a) microbicides; and (b) vaccines; and [HL4437]

What action the Department of Health is taking with the Department for International Development to respond to the prevalence of HIV, as set out in their strategy document, Achieving Universal Access. [HL4438]

The department is working with the Department for International Development to support implementation of Achieving Universal Access, copies of which are available in the Library, through its membership of the Whitehall working group on tackling AIDS in the developing world and the action set out in Achieving Universal Access. This includes implementation of the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV (currently being reviewed), the commitments set out in the forthcoming global health strategy and action taken by the department to strengthen the code of practice on recruitment of healthcare workers from overseas.