HC Deb 01 July 1926 vol 197 cc1317-8
21. Sir HARRY BRITTAIN

asked the Minister of Health what attention is being given to the feeding of miners' children affected by the coal stoppage; whether reports have been received from the different sections of the country involved; and, if so, what is the nature of those reports?

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Neville Chamberlain)

I am keeping in constant touch through my general inspectors with the areas affected by the coal stoppage and in reporting to me they have, at my request, paid special attention to the condition of the children. A large amount of assistance is being given by the supply of meals and other food and there is no evidence of malnutrition of children.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Is it not unfair to this country that stories of wholesale starvation should be published abroad?

Mr. PALING

Will the Minister ex- plain what he means by special attention? Does that include the weighing of the children to find out whether they are starving or not?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

At the beginning of the stoppage I thought it desirable that I should have special knowledge as to whether, in fact, there was any malnutrition of children and I, there fore, issued instructions to my inspectors to give special attention to this matter and to report to me. I have received information from them which is quite inconsistent with some of the suggestions which have been made.

Mr. PALING

Have they been specially instructed to weigh the children in order to ascertain whether there is malnutrition or not?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

No.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Does any other country in the world look after its people as well as our own?

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Have they weighed the leaders?