HC Deb 02 May 1966 vol 727 cc1218-9
19. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many old people are suffering from malnutrition; and if he will now take steps to tackle this problem.

Mr. Loughlin

Reports from the most recent surveys do not support this, but my right hon. Friend is having the evidence further examined.

Mr. Hamilton

Does my hon. Friend not admit the authenticity of the evidence produced by the Food Education Society? Is it not the case that medical officers throughout the country are producing alarmingly extensive evidence of the existence of this problem among large numbers of our own people? What sense of urgency have the Government got in tackiing this problem?

Mr. Loughlin

I am advised that certain of the assertions on which the allegations are based are not accepted by the majority of geriatricians. We are not complacent about the situation. This is why I say that my right hon. Friend is examining the evidence and that the whole of the information from the Food Education Society will be examined.

Mr. Woodburn

Is my hon. Friend aware that in at least two places£in London, I think, and in Motherwell£investigation has shown that many people who are regarded as bed-ridden and incapable of moving have been able to return to normal life when they have got rid of malnutrition? Would the Department investigate this question still further?

Mr. Loughlin

I can only repeat what I said. We have had two recent surveys—one in 1963 and one in 1965—which do not bear out what my right hon. Friend the Member for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn) says.