§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a list of the research projects in progress or being considered which could throw light on the problem of identifying drinkers most at risk of alcoholism, indicating by whom the research is being, or is to be, undertaken and when the results may be expected to be available.
§ Mr. EnnalsSome research has been done in the past to identify particular groups, for example by age, occupation, etc. with a high proportion of heavy drinkers. The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys is about to undertake on behalf of the Department a survey of drinking habits which, it is hoped, will lead to further surveys to show which drinking patterns are most likely to lead to drinking problems.
The following projects are undertaken by the Medical Research Council (MRC) with support from the Health Departments under the commissioning arrangements:
A study of alcoholism in the general population of Camberwell (programme grant to G. Edwards, Institute of Psychiatry, jointly supported by MRC and the Department of Health and Social Security): this is a continuing study.A study of prevalence of alcohol problems in Shetland (MRC Medical Sociology Unit, Aberdeen): the results are expected in about six months.Alcoholism among distillery employees (MRC Unit for Epidemiological Studies in Psychiatry, Edinburgh): to be completed within a year.Alcoholism as a handicap (MRC Unit for Epidemiological Studies in Psychiatry, Edinburgh): a continuing study.A comparison of alcoholism and drinking habits in four areas in Scotland (MRC Unit for Epidemiological Studies in Psychiatry, Edinburgh): to be published in 1–2 months.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will summarise in the Official Report the replies he has had from the broadcasting authorities to his approaches on the subject of alcoholism, as, referred to in paragraph 264W 159 of his White Paper "Prevention and Health", Command Paper No 7047.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe British Broadcasting Corporation has drawn the Advisory Committee on Alcoholism's Report on prevention to the attention of senior staff and has said that its practice seeks to conform with the Committee's thinking. The Independent Broadcasting Authority has stated that it is satisfied that its advertising controls, which are kept under review, in the light of experience, reflect the Committee's concern; and it is studying the incidence and presentation of drinking in its programmes generally. In the meantime, the programme contractor companies have been made aware of the contents of the Committee's report.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is preventing the preparation and publication of his proposed consultative document on the prevention of alcoholism; and when he anticipates it will be published.
§ Mr. EnnalsPreparation is in hand. The health Departments propose to publish the document later this year.