HC Deb 19 March 1990 vol 169 cc870-1
2. Mr. Rathbone

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to review health education in schools; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Wyn Roberts

Under the national curriculum, health education will be taught in all schools, as a cross-curricular theme and through specific core and foundation subjects, as appropriate. It is for individual schools to determine the organisation and teaching of health education in the light of national curriculum requirements. The strategy of the Health Promotion Authority for Wales includes new initiatives directed at young people.

Mr. Rathbone

I thank my hon. Friend for his answer, which shows his concern about health education in schools, but will he reassure the House that the importance of health education in the battle against drug misuse—a battle which must be won if we are to prevent our young people from being lured into drug misuse and dependency and into the violent crime that can so often ensue—is brought home to health education teachers and to those in local schools who are teaching the national curriculum?

Mr. Roberts

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I am fully aware of his special interest in the subject as chairman of the parliamentary committee on drug misuse. A great deal is happening in Wales in this respect. There are drug education co-ordinators in each local education authority area and in 1989–90 their remit was extended to health education, with emphasis on drugs, alcohol and AIDS. Grant for expenditure of almost £700,000 has been provided so far and the programme is due to run for a further three years. There is support for the in-service training of teachers and youth workers in drugs education under the local education authority training grants scheme, which has been expanded in line with the education support grant to training and preventive health education.

Mr. Michael

Will the Minister acknowledge the enthusiasm of Labour Members for health education in schools? Does he agree that health education for children and adults can be effective only in the context of adequate comprehensive health care and a healthy environment? Does he also acknowledge, however, the desperate search for cuts in every health authority in Wales, the proposal to withdraw school nurses in South Glamorgan because Ministers are not providing enough money, and the damage to children's health due to the homelessness caused by the Government? Will he further acknowledge that serious underfunding of schools in Wales is a threat to health education and that his interest in the topic therefore appears somewhat unconvincing?

Mr. Roberts

I totally disagree with most of the hon. Gentleman's comments. The question is about health education in schools. I have given assurances and examples of how we are promoting health education in schools. I might add that the Health Promotion Authority is establishing life education classes with the support of some £94,000 from the Welsh Office, and a start will be made on units for that purpose in the next financial year.