§ 19. Mr. Neubertasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of expenditure within the National Health Service he estimates is devoted to clinical ecology.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI am unable to make such an estimate, as clinical ecology is not recognised as a separate specialty in this country.
§ Mr. NeubertIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that a large and increasing number of people suffer discomfort, inconvenience and disability as a result of food allergy? Is it not time that the problem was taken more seriously and given greater recognition within the National Health Service?
§ Mr. ClarkeI am sure that it is a serious problem, but treatment is widely available for allergies of all sorts within the National Health Service at hospitals throughout Britain. Many consultants are members of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology, which has 400 members. There is nothing to stop the area health authorities from improving provision in their localities and I am sure that many more will continue to do so.