§ 21. Mr. Mayhewasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportions of the Health Education Council's expenditure in 1971 and 1972 were attributable to mental health education.
§ Sir K. JosephIn each of the financial years 1971–72 and 1972–73, less than 01 per cent. of the council's total expenditure was specifically on mental health education.
§ Mr. MayhewI accept that the council is doing admirable work in physical health education, but are not the proportions astonishing? Will the Minister make it clear that the council's responsibilities include mental health education? Is there not a great need for more awareness of the need for mental health education not only in general subjects, such as the need of small children for emotional security, but in specific subjects—for instance, the possibility of reducing the number of mongol children born to mothers beyond normal child-bearing age? Will the Minister look into this matter?
§ Sir K. JosephI agree that the proportion is astonishing. I am encouraged to think that the present discussions between 195 the NAMH and the Health Education Council will lead to a greater concentration of mental health education in future.