London: Britain has funded 123 million Pounds to control the spread of HIV/AIDS (Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome) in India, a minister told the House of Commons.

"We are funding the National AIDS Control Organisation of India to the tune of 123 million Pounds and are working with it closely on the design of a more effective strategy," Gareth Thomas, MP (Member of Parliament) and minister in the department for International Development said during a debate on AIDS last evening (Jan 29, 2004).

According to current estimate, about four million people are affected by AIDS in India, the second largest number of HIV infections in any country, Thomas told James Purnell, MP, member of the Labour Friends of India.

Thomas, former chairman of the Labour Friends of India, said there has been a seven-fold increase since 1997 in the funds Britain is spending to tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS.