§ 29. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services 900 whether he will instigate a survey to discover the extent of malnutrition among old people.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyA survey of the nutritional state of about 800 elderly people in six areas was carried out in 1967 and 1968. The results are being analysed and will be published later this year.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonIn view of a recent article in the Royal Society of Health Journal which suggested that about 30 per cent. of old people are suffering from malnutrition, is it not time that the Government initiated a national survey to discover the facts?
§ Dr. DunwoodyI am aware of that article, but my advice is that the evidence for this has not been confirmed and that such independent tests as have been published have tended not to support it. I would remind the hon. Member that this survey covered six different areas—four in England and two in Scotland—and that it will give a very useful picture of the national situation.