§ 12. Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many men and how many women she estimates suffer from chronic alcoholism in England and Wales.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Dr. David Owen)Surveys suggest that some 400,000 persons in England and Wales have a serious drinking problem. [Laughter.] Most are male but the proportion of women and younger persons is increasing.
§ Mr. JannerIs my hon. Friend aware that this is no matter for laughter but is a serious problem for at least 400,000 families and that the facilities for the care, treatment and housing of chronic alcoholics are pathetically short? What are the Government proposing to do to help these people and their families now?
§ Dr. OwenWe have just established the new Advisory Committee on Alcoholism, whose chairman is Professor Kessel, and a few days ago I attended its inaugural meeting. I hope that the committee will be able to help in supplying a new stimulus towards curing the problem of alcoholism, which, I agree with my hon. and learned Friend, is a most serious problem and is increasing. We shall also try to channel more funds either to voluntary or statutory bodies to help with the problem.
§ Mr. CrouchDoes not the Minister feel that the time has come for the problem to be brought out into the open rather than left to the almost under-cover activities of Alcoholics Anonymous? Would not the public be better served if the problem were brought out into the open and dealt with by the National Health Service and the local authorities?
§ Dr. OwenWe have channelled funds to voluntary bodies for the provision of hostels for alcoholics, and 17 have been provided since May 1973. Both administrations have been worried by the problem. The problem of increasing alcoholism will be covered in the consultative paper on preventive medicine generally which we hope to publish towards the end of this year.
§ Mr. MacCormickDoes the Minister accept that this problem is probably proportionately worse north of the border? Will he and his right hon. Friend bring pressure to bear on the Secretary of State for Scotland to introduce legislation to civilise Scottish licensing laws in the hope of improving the situation?
§ Dr. OwenThe specific aspects referred to by the hon. Gentleman are a matter 225 for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, who shares the hon. Gentleman's concern about the problem of alcoholism north of the border.