Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Minister of Food if he will define in greater detail the term, "vulnerable groups of the population," used by his Department in relation to certain special surveys which they are carrying out.
§ Mr. StracheyIn my Department a rigid definition has not been adopted, but the special surveys to which the hon. Member refers are being carried out among various groups of the population which have special nutritional needs, or might be considered to be potentially vulnerable at a time when the national dietary is being reduced. The term "vulnerable" as usually employed covers expectant mothers, infants, children of school age, adolescents and invalids. The present surveys which are undertaken in association with my right hon. Friend the 427W Minister of Health, include in addition to those groups, the households of workers in the shipbuilding, coal mining and heavy metal industries, agricultural workers, and old age pensioners.