§ 22. Mr. Brooksasked the Minister of Health whether he will undertake studies to establish the criteria for assessing the optimum population for the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI have no present plans for undertaking such studies.
§ Mr. BrooksWould not my right hon. Friend agree that today Britain faces very serious land use problems arising from mounting population pressure? In these circumstances, has not the time come for a long-term policy on population to be defined and to recognise the reality and dangers of the long-term predicament in which we may find ourselves?
§ Mr. RobinsonI agree with my hon. Friend that this is an important matter. He will appreciate that it cuts across many Departmental boundaries. I am replying to his Question because I am responsible to Parliament for the Registrar General's activities. But there are many studies on population questions which need to be undertaken. It is, however, a little difficult to see how the optimum size of the population could be determined by objective criteria.
§ Mr. LubbockWould it not at least be very useful if the Minister undertook 987 long-term studies into the rate of the population change, as indicated by the Registrar General's report only yesterday which showed a decline in the birth rate, so that proper provision can be made for housing, schools, education and so on?
§ Mr. RobinsonThese continuing studies are done by the Registrar General's Department. We shall have more and more information about this as the census becomes more and more sophisticated.