38. Mr. DOYLEasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the necessity of closer medical supervision of elementary schools; and if he can arrange for a weekly attendance of a doctor at each school, when he can pass the children in review, thereby anticipating illness and improving the health of the children and also saving parents loss of time, worry, and expense?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Dr. Addison)My hon. Friend may be assured that the necessity of doing all that is practicable in this matter is fully recognised, but it is not, I think, necessary or practicable to ask authorities to arrange for the weekly attendance of school doctors at each school as suggested by my hon. Friend. I may remind him also that in 310 out of the 318 local education authorities in England and Wales there are school nurses performing some of the functions to which he refers.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of introducing tooth-cleaning drill in the mornings for small children, having regard to the extraordinarily beneficial effect clean teeth have on small children?
§ Dr. ADDISONI think it is already in operation.
§ Mr. IRVINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in New York, and certainly in some countries, a daily review of children takes place; and is it not a fact that there is a daily variation in the health of children?
§ Dr. ADDISONThat is quite so; it depends on the reviews you have. There are not enough doctors and nurses in the country to review every child.
§ Mr. IRVINGIn the cases I have mentioned there are men qualified.
§ Dr. ADDISONThe hon. Gentleman may be assured that the school teachers review these children every day, and the children are well trained and instructed in this matter. I do not think it requires special action.