§ Mr. Sydney Irvingasked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the increase in skin complaints in school children during the last five years; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Sir D. EcclesThe following table shows that skin disorders among children inspected by the School Health Service during the years 1954 to 1958 have in fact declined. If the hon. Member has evidence of an increase in the incidence of any particular skin disease, I shall be glad to look further into the matter.
Year Total Number of Children in Maintained Schools at end of Year Children found with Skin Diseases during Year at Periodic and Special Periodic and Special Inspections Number (3)as percentage of (2) (1) (2) (3) (4) 1954 … 6,587,530 148,120 2.25 1955 … 6,722,376 140,103 2.08 1956 … 6,850,524 133,710 1.95 1957 … 6,914,291 132,232 1.91 1958 … 6,977,812 131,719 1.89