§ 39. Mr. William Teelingasked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that physical training carried out in schools by children in bare feet encourages the spread of plantar warts; and what steps he is taking to prevent this.
§ Mr. TomlinsonIn his Report of 1946 and 1947, which was published in 1949, 1409 the Chief Medical Officer of my Department discussed this condition and stated that the way in which it is spread remained obscure. Advice on preventive measures was given in the Report for 1937 and there is nothing at present to add to it.
§ Mr. TeelingDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that there have been a considerable number of complaints about this matter in various schools? If he or his medical advisers cannot make up their minds, would it at least be possible for the parents to have the right to say whether their children should wear shoes or not?
§ Mr. TomlinsonIn this case, I understand that the medical officer concerned has, at any rate for a temporary period, discontinued this form of exercise.
§ Mr. TeelingCould that be made national?
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo. I do not think that it needs to be made national.
Major LloydCan the right hon. Gentleman say, from his own knowledge, whether the former President of the Board of Trade suffers from this unfortunate trouble?