HC Deb 16 February 1938 vol 331 cc1869-71
49. Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he hopes to receive a survey of the position as regards nutrition in Trinidad, as a consequence of the circular despatch to colonial Governments in April, 1936?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As a consequence of the despatch referred to, a committee was set up in Trinidad to study and report upon the whole question. It presented an interim report in October, 1936, which was laid before the Legislative Council. Since then it has done valuable work in the preparation of educational pamphlets and other useful memoranda on the subject.

Mr. Ridley

Will the report eventually be available to the right hon. Gentleman and subsequently to the House?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I think that the next question covers that. These individual reports from the Colonial Empire are being sent to an expert committee in this country who will co-ordinate them and publish them in that form, which I am sure will be of more value and instruction to hon. Members.

Mr. Ridley

Does that mean that they will be published in an available form to this House?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

It will be a summary of the reports from all these colonies with the opinion of the expert nutritionists in this country.

Mr. Sorensen

Will it be indicated in the pink circular?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I cannot say the exact form.

50. Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the reports of the nutrition committees in Barbados, Jamaica, and any other surveys of the position as regards the nutrition of the population from any of the Governments of the West Indies; and whether he will publish such reports?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As the reply is a long one I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The circular despatch sent to all Colonial Dependencies by my predecessor in April, 1936, aroused great interest in the subject of nutrition throughout the Colonial Empire, and not least in the West Indies. I have received printed copies of reports by special committees set up in Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados and British Guiana; all these have been published locally and copies can be obtained through the Crown Agents for the Colonies. A lengthy and informative report from British Honduras has just been received and will be published shortly. In addition, many useful memoranda have been sent in from the smaller islands, notably St. Vincent. All these papers have been laid before the Expert Committee of the Economic Advisory Council which has been appointed to advise on nutrition matters in the Colonial Empire. I understand that this committee are preparing a summary of all the replies from Colonial Dependencies for publication with their covering report. Meanwhile, practical steps are being taken in the West Indies, as elsewhere, to improve nutrition by increased attention to infant welfare and the feeding of school children, by the teaching of domestic science, by encouraging the growth of green vegetables, etc. The Legislature of Barbados, for instance, have recently authorised the expenditure of £4,500 to inaugurate a new scheme for the provision of milk to school children.