§ Mr. Coombsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the actions taken by his Department since the publication of the COMA report, designed to assist in the prevention of coronary heart disease.
§ Mr. DunnThe aim of all health education in schools is to encourage pupils to adopt healthy lifestyles and to avoid behaviour which may lead to ill health, including coronary heart disease. My right hon. Friend has made it clear that he considers health education an essential aspect of schools' work. The detailed content of the curriculum388W is for local determination. Schools already teach pupils about the need for a healthy diet, the avoidance of obesity and the importance of exercise, as advocated in the report of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy (COMA). Recent discussion papers by Her Majesty's inspectorate on "Home Economics from 5 to 16" and "Health Education from 5 to 16", have emphasised the messages of the COMA report. The Department has also drawn the report to the attention of the school examining boards and asked that they take its recommendations into account in their home economics syllabuses.