HC Deb 23 February 1938 vol 332 cc336-7
23. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish or otherwise make available to Members recent reports on nutrition in Barbados and Jamaica?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I am arranging for copies of the reports to be placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Ridley

Will the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the very disturbing character of such reports as have already been published, and the desire of a very large number of Members to have the terms of these reports made public?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I am most anxious, before I do anything on these matters, to have the advice of the Special Nutrition Committee here, which is receiving the report. Sir John Orr and other experts on nutrition are preparing these reports from the different parts of the Colonial Empire, and before we come to a judgment I think it is highly desirable that we should have the reports.

Mr. Ridley

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of some collective publication at a not too distant date?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I will certainly consider the question of publishing the main committee's report and such extracts from the others as would be helpful.