HC Deb 02 February 1972 vol 830 cc417-8
3. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he has made of the administrative costs of selective distribution of milk, on a basis of medical evidence, in contrast with a system of blanket supply in primary schools.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Gordon Campbell)

None, Sir. I see no need for any authority to incur significant extra expenditure.

Mr. Dalyell

Do the Government dispute that there is disproportionate and enormous cost in health visiting and medical time?

Mr. Campbell

That should not be necessary. Each authority can decide how to set about this task, and it is not necessary for every child to be examined.

Mr. Buchan

In view of the astonishing discrepancy shown in the results in Scotland following medical examinations——

Mr. Dalyell

Astonishing indeed!

Mr. Buchan

—varying from zero in some counties to 40 per cent. in at least one, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not agree that the scheme has become farcical, because it depends entirely on the say-so of a particular medical officer, who is under no guidance whatever, and that the Government are not encouraging medical officers to take a properly balanced medical decision? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he must deal with this issue, which is becoming a disgrace?

Mr. Campbell

It is more a matter that each authority has been able to approach this differently. The medical officers naturally use their professional judgment. I remind the hon. Member that when the Labour Government removed milk from all secondary schools, they made no arrangements at all for medical exemptions.