HC Deb 21 June 1982 vol 26 cc18-20
35. Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has received any requests from Governments of developing countries for financial or technical assistance in the field of implementing and monitoring the World Health Organisation's code of marketing breast milk substitutes.

Mr. Neil Marten

No.

Mr. Alton

Following our discussions with our European partners last October about breast food substitutes, what concerted action are we taking with our European partners to combat the problem? What is being done about illiteracy in Third world countries? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that that is one of the reasons why the substitutes are being abused?

Mr. Marten

Although illiteracy is relevant, it is wide of this question. It is up to the developing country concerned to ask us if it wants help. The World Health Organisation is monitoring the problem throughout the developing world and it will tell us whether it believes that anything should be done. The question is primarily one for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Secretary of State for Social Services.

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