HC Deb 11 December 1934 vol 296 cc209-10
55. Mr. SALT

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to avoid malnutrition in children of school age, he will consider the drawing up and publication of model diet schedules to serve as a guide to parents?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

The preparation of diet schedules is a matter in which account has to be taken of local food customs and other circumstances, and it would be impracticable to produce any schedule of universal application. My hon. Friend will, however, find most of the information required for the construction of suitable diets for any groups of persons in the published reports on the Criticism and Improvement of Diets and on Diets in Poor Law Children's Homes which have been made by my right hon. Friend's Advisory Committee on Nutrition.

Mr. LOGAN

Is it possible for the Minister to advise public assistance committees to give a higher money scale of relief?

Mr. PALING

Would not malnutrition be avoided if the majority of these persons had the means with which to buy food?