§ 21. Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Minister of Health if he will indicate the numbers of children of 16 years or under suffering from sugar diabetes; and to what extent there has been an increase in the number in recent years.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am afraid that no precise figures are available, but I understand that there is no reason to suppose that the incidence of the disease is changing.
§ Mr. IrvingI am glad to know that the Minister does not think there is an increase, but may I ask him whether he is satisfied that everything is being done to educate the public about young diabetics in view of the fact that there have been cases of hypoglycaemia having been mistaken for drunkenness?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIt is not a disease which is confined to children. In fact, a large amount of the incidence, which itself is relatively low, is to be found in people of over 40; but I will certainly look at the question in the context of children to see whether any further advice is required.