HC Deb 15 February 1983 vol 37 c141
1. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the current effectiveness of health education as undertaken by local authorities, the Health Education Council and Her Majesty's Government.

The Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg)

Not completely, but I am confident that under its new leadership the Health Education Council will, with the full support of Ministers, progressively facilitate improvements in the effectiveness of health education at both national and local levels.

Mr. Dormand

That was an unusually modest answer. Is the Minister aware that the enthusiasm of the local authorities and the Health Education Council is not matched by the Government? Do the Government appreciate that considerable savings could be made in the Health Service if they took more seriously the health education programme? Is not the Government's attitude clearly demonstrated by their hypocrisy in giving official approval to sports sponsorship by tobacco companies while giving £2 million to the Health Education Council for its anti-smoking campaign?

Mr. Finsberg

I am a naturally modest person. I think that it would help the hon. Gentleman, who is normally very courteous, if I reminded him that when we came to office the Health Education Council had an actual expenditure of £3.67 million. For the year 1981–82 it was £6.3 million, a substantial increase in real terms. If the hon. Gentleman wants to discuss sports sponsorship he should put the question to my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, who is responsible for sport.

Mr. Stokes

Will my hon. Friend turn his attention to the sex education industry, which, not content with getting at young children in school, is now, amazingly, turning its attention to the mentally handicapped?

Mr. Finsberg

I share very much my hon. Friend's disquiet. With my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science, we have asked the Health Education Council to review its book list. It has willingly agreed to do that.