HC Deb 21 June 1944 vol 401 cc179-80
41. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether further action is being taken by his office in the matter of malnutrition in the Colonies; and whether he can make a statement on plans and policy.

Colonel Stanley

Yes, Sir. For some years now Nutrition Committees have been functioning in a large number of Colonies and many of them have done valuable work. Following on the resolutions of the Hot Springs Conference I communicated further with Colonial Governments as to their nutrition policy. Also the Medical Research Council have recently formed a Human Nutrition Research Unit which, under the direction of Dr. B. S. Platt, is engaged in investigations on Colonial nutrition and is offering hospitality for study and research to nutrition workers from the Colonies. The unit will also be ready to advise Colonial Governments on technical questions and its formation is a first step towards a wider organisation which, it is hoped, will in- sent in a position to make any statement regarding the last part of the Question.

Following are the figures:

clude both teaching and research in its scope. I hope also that in the near future Dr. Platt will again visit certain Colonial territories for the purpose of investigating the position and advising on future plans.