HC Deb 13 November 1980 vol 992 cc418-9W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of recent evidence that many of the elderly have diets that contain below the recommended daily intake of vitamins, and that there is a tendency amongst the lower socioeconomic groups to eat an inadequately balanced diet, he will set up a new university department to study and counter malnutrition.

Sir George Young

I do not think that this is justified. Such evidence as there is shows that malnutrition in elderly people usually occurs in association with clinical disease or conditions such as depression following bereavement.