§ SIR JOHN GORST (Cambridge' University)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps His Majesty's Government are taking to carry out any of the recommendations of the Committee on Physical Deterioration which relate to matters within the jurisdiction of his Department.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS-DOUGLAS, Kent, St. Augustine's)I fear I cannot undertake to answer in detail as to those of the Committee's. 1317 proposals in which my Department is concerned. Some of these proposals appear to be put forward as suggestions for further consideration rather than as definite recommendations, and I could not take steps to give effect to them without first collecting more information than has been obtained by the Committee. Perhaps I may be allowed to say, briefly, that the Committee's recommendations, several of which are engaging my attention, will not be lost sight of. The important subject of defective children, to which the Committee refer in recommendation No. 53, is now under the consideration of a Royal Commission.
§ SIR JOHN GORSTCan the right hon. Gentleman place a Return on the Table of the House showing what steps have been already taken?
§ MR. AKERS-DOUGLASIf the right hon. Gentleman will allow me, I shall be happy to confer with him as to what he asks.
§ DR. MACNAMARAIs it still the view of the Home Office that it can do nothing with regard to the recommendation in favour of prohibiting cigarette smoking among small children?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! That hardly arises out of the Question.