§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action his Department is taking to ensure that the public receive full and adequate information on contraception and related problems; and if he is satisfied with current advertising restrictions in this field.
§ Mr. MoyleMy Department's advice to health authorities stresses the need for publicity of local family planning services, for local family planning campaigns as part of health education, and for health service staff to play a part in their contacts with the public. My Department is allocating funds to the Health Education Council, over its normal budget, specifically for information about family planning. About half the allocation is being used by the Council to pay for a family planning information service managed on its behalf by the Family Planning Association. The other half will be used by the Council to mount national family planning publicity. In addition my Department is making a grant towards the cost of the new Family Planning Association regional centres which are also providing information about family planning methods and services.
I am not aware of any restrictions on advertising which have led to complaint.