HC Deb 25 February 1943 vol 387 cc289-90
39. Mr. David Adams

asked the Minister of Health whether the propaganda campaign for the prevention and elimination of venereal disease will include a national appeal to all parents and guardians of children to instruct them in at least an elementary knowledge of sex and the natural functions of the body?

Mr. E. Brown

At present I propose to leave such action to the initiative of parents, but the Central Council for Health Education arranges sex education talks to parents and young people, at the request of local authorities, local education authorities, and youth organisations. The campaign also includes pamphlets addressed to adolescents which may be distributed through local authorities and in other ways. I am sending my hon. Friend copies.

Mr. Adams

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this is a matter of the first importance, and that a more general national effort ought to be made, because large numbers of families still consider this to be an untouchable subject, to the loss of the rising generation?

Mr. Brown

Perhaps my hon. Friend does not realise that from 1st April last year to date, the Central Council has given about 200 courses of 3-4 lectures to young people, 30 to youth leaders, 20 to school leavers, and 30 to parents, so that considerable efforts are being made.

Mr. Adams

But that activity does not reach the nation at large.

Sir F. Fremantle

Are the Minister and the Central Council making use of the excellent pamphlets that are used in the Army to give instruction in this matter?

43. Mr. Rostron Duckworth

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make any statement as to the present indication of the value of Regulation 33B?

Mr. Brown

Local authorities have been asked, in a circular issued early in January, to submit quarterly reports during the first year of the operation of the new Regulation. At present, therefore, my hon. Friend will appreciate that I am not in a position to assess the effects of the Regulation so far. There is general evidence, however, that the Regulation has been welcomed by local authorities.

Sir F. Fremantle

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Association of County Medical Officers of Health will be able to give him practical information on this subject?

Mr. Brown

Yes, Sir.