HC Deb 19 March 1968 vol 761 cc230-1
7. Dr. David Kerr

asked the Minister of Health what advice he has received from the Health Education Council; and what action he is taking to implement that advice.

Mr. K. Robinson

None, Sir. It will be for the new Council, as the central executive body for the organisation of health education, to implement its own proposals, when it has had time to formulate them.

Dr. Kerr

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is a disgracefully long time since the Cohen Committee's Report on Health Education, which recommended the establishment of this? Is it not time that the confusion which still exists in health education was clarified?

Mr. Robinson

The Council has been meeting only since the beginning of the year. I expect it before long to take over the health education promotional work of my Department and the Central Council for Health Education. It will need some little time to review everything that is being done and to plan a programme of work.

Mr. Speaker

Order. I must ask the House to be more quiet. It is difficult to pursue Question Time against multifarious conversations.

8. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Health what steps the Health Education Council have taken to publicise the knowledge and correct methods of survival especially to those in hazardous occupations who may have to deal with exposure at any moment.

Mr. Snow

The Council has hardly had time to start any health education projects yet and I cannot forecast its priorities.

Mr. Mills

In view of the recent tragedies on Dartmoor and off Iceland, is it not rather disgraceful that the Minister has not done something more to publicise these new advanced techniques to save lives? Will the hon. Gentleman immediately take steps to do so so that these accidents may not happen in future?

Mr. Snow

The safety of Servicemen and seamen are within the responsibilities of my right hon. Friends the Defence Secretary and the President of the Board of Trade. The aspect of public interest in these matters will be considered as soon as possible by the Council.