§ The Marquess of LOTHIANasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will: (a) explain why, as reported in Health Education News, No. 11, 1977, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Family Planning Association (who are also listed as directors of Family Planning Sales, Limited) are to administer considerable sums of public money allocated through the Health Education Council to promote a joint programme of sex education for school children; and (b) give an assurance that public money will not be used to distribute propaganda likely to increase sales for this company.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLThe report to which the noble Lord refers does not mention a programme of sex education for school children. The subject of the article is the joint arrangement between the Health Education Council and the Family Planning Association for the dissemination of information to all those concerned as consumers or counsellors. The objectives of this arrangement are to ensure that people know about and use the free National Health Service family planning facilities. The information service is managed through a liaison committee of HEC and FPA representatives who, I am sure, will continue to bear in mind the point made in the second part of the noble Lord's Question.