The British government has signalled that it does not support the belief held by President Bush that sexual abstinence is the best way to combat the HIV/Aids epidemic.

Speaking at the Aids conference in Bangkok, international development minister Gareth Thomas also made clear that the UK does not support the reluctance of the US to endorse the use of cheaper generic drugs.

"We work with the Americans in a whole variety of ways, but we have a difference of view on abstinence-only campaigns," he said.

His comments come ahead of the launch of the government's £1.5 billion Aids plan next Tuesday.