§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will seek to ensure that Her Majesty's Government play an effective part in monitoring the code of marketing of breast milk substitutes recommended by the executive board of the World Health Organisation;
(2) if he will seek to introduce legislation which embodies the draft international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes recommended by the executive board of the World Health Organisation: and which will make its provisions mandatory on United Kingdom manufacturers.
§ Dr. VaughanThe recommendations of the executive board of the World Health Organisation will be considered by the World Health Assembly when it meets in May. Her Majesty's Government will consider what action is necessary in the light of decisions taken by the assembly.
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§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in the Official Report the recommendations of Her Majesty's Government on the draft codes of marketing baby milk substitutes which were discussed by the executive board of the World Health Organisation.
§ Dr. VaughanOfficials from this Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were involved in discussions on earlier drafts of the code of marketing of breast milk substitutes, but were not asked to comment on the version put forward by the executive board.
The World Health Assembly in May will provide us with an opportunity to do so.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will request British firms who produce baby milk substitutes to provide him with market reports which include promotional data, market surveys and policy evaluations; and if he will make such reports public.
§ Dr. VaughanWe have no plans to make such requests at the present time.