AIDS

Lord Black of Brentwood Excerpts

Monday 1st December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

It is a tragedy, as the right reverend Prelate said. The former Foreign Secretary David Lammy felt incredibly strongly about this and had an initiative to support the care of orphaned children in family settings. He was working with many Governments around the world to do this. This is something, from the last conversation I had with him about it, he intends to maintain and continue to champion as Deputy Prime Minister.

[Lord Black of Brentwood (Con)]

My Lords, on World AIDS Day, would the noble Baroness join me in paying tribute to all those worldwide who care for people with HIV, who often have very complex health needs? Doctors, nurses and health professionals who work in very special places, such as the Ian Charleson Day Centre at the Royal Free Hospital, used to minister to the dying but now care for the living. Are we not in their debt?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

We really are, and what the noble Lord said is absolutely right. We should pay tribute to those who care and those who innovate, including the scientists who are finding new treatments that are making such a difference. It really is a joy to know not just that so many of our friends and those we love will live long, happy lives, but also that they are happy to share this and talk about it openly. This is something, again, that I do not think we would have seen in the past. It is such a wonderful improvement.