HC Deb 15 February 1940 vol 357 cc941-2
37. Mr. David Adams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will state the position at the present moment throughout the country with regard to the medical inspection of schoolchildren?

Mr. Lindsay

From the statements received from local education authorities in response to the Board's Circular 1490, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member, it appears that in the great majority of areas routine medical inspection is being carried out or will very shortly be resumed. In this circular the Board urged authorities to take steps to secure that within a period of three months all children, whether attending school or not, should have the benefit of medical inspection and, where necessary, treatment. My Noble Friend has urged authorities to treat the matter as one of the greatest urgency.

Mr. Adams

Is there any particular reason why this should not have taken place five months ago?

Mr. Lindsay

There were a great many reasons, but the main reason was the very great difficulty of carrying out the supplementary services connected with Civil Defence..