42. Mrs. Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will consider the setting up of a nutrition department under the auspices of the East African High Commissioner for the purposes of food and food consumption research, diet improvement and propaganda, and to co-ordinate the various activities undertaken to counteract malnutrition among children and adults in Uganda, Tanganyika, Kenya and Zanzibar.
§ Mr. ProfumoCo-ordination of such activities is already the function of the East African Council for Medical Research, under the auspices of the East Africa High Commission, aided in particular by two High Commission services, the East African Institute for Medical Research and the East African Statistical Department. A big contribution is also being made by the Infantile Malnutrition Research Unit run by the United Kingdom Medical Research Council in Uganda with the co-operation of the local and High Commission authorities.
Mrs. ButlerWhile thanking the Under-Secretary for that reply, may I ask him if he appreciates that this problem of protein malnutrition in these territories, particularly among children, is of fundamental importance, and is one in which even greater Government sponsorship and co-ordination of nutrition investigations are urgently needed if the problem is to be overcome?
§ Mr. ProfumoI agree with the first part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question, but I do not think I agree that 891 there is not enough co-ordination. Perhaps when the hon. Lady reads my Answer, she will agree that this matter is being carefully looked after.