HC Deb 18 December 1987 vol 124 cc935-6W
Mr. Hayes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the report on very low calorie diets from the Chief Medical Officer's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy.

Mrs. Currie

The COMA report, "The Use of Very Low Calorie Diets in Obesity", is being published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. I understand that it is the first international scientific report on the use of very low calorie diets (VLCD) and I welcome it wholeheartedly. I know it has been awaited with great interest in medical and scientific circles worldwide and is a notable British first.

The report's recommendations are far-reaching but balanced and moderate reflecting the authors' disinterested, methodical approach to a difficult task. I shall study them carefully.

The Government are taking immediate action on the recommendation to institute discussions with the United Kingdom manufacturers of VLCD about a code of practice, along the lines suggested by the COMA report.