HC Deb 17 March 1978 vol 946 cc350-1W
Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will now publish the results of the second stage of the research undertaken into the feeding habits of schoolchildren, the first part of which was published in 1975; when it is expected that the third phase of this research will be completed; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Moyle

The only report published by my Department in 1975 on the nutritional status of children was based on a cross-sectional study of a nationally representative sample of pre-schoolchildren—not schoolchildren—made over the year October 1967 to October 1968—Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 10, 1975. No plans were made for a follow-up study of this. If, however, I have misunderstood my hon. Friend's point perhaps he would be good enough to let me know.

Mr. Corbett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total cost and duration of the research first commissioned by his Department in 1968 into the feeding habits of schoolchildren; when the first report on this study was (a) completed and (b) published; and when it is now expected that a comprehensive report on the research will be published.

Mr. Moyle

The survey into the nutritional status of schoolchilden was carried out between 1968 and 1970 by the Department of Community Medicine at St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School in collaboration with the Kent County Council and my Department. It is not possible to quantify the cost of the survey, which was only partly funded by my Department, since it was part of an overall research programme on health services carried out at St. Thomas's.

The results of the survey were published as a series of papers in the scientific journals in 1973 and 1975 as follows: 1. A survey of the Nutritional Status of School children; relation between nutrient intake and socio-economic factors:— British Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine (1973)27, 91–99. 2. The contribution made by school milk to the nutrition of primary school children:— British Journal of Nutrition (1975)34, 91. 3. School Meals and Nutrition of School children:— British Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine (1975)29, 182–189. 4. Influence of some social and environmental factors on the nutrient intake and nutritional status of school children:— British Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine (1975)29, 116–120.

I am not aware of any intention to publish a further report, nor indeed would such a report seem necessary in view of what has already been published.