§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what discussions he has had on the medical damage and risk to the health of children living in housing which suffers from dampness or condensation;
(2) if he will hold discussions with the health boards on preventive action to reduce the risk to children of living in damp housing.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 7 June 1993]: This issue has been raised in the regular meetings my hon. Friend the Minister for education and housing has with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities about housing matters, and in the frequent meetings he has with local authorities about resources for investment in housing. For example, my hon. Friend met representatives of Dumbarton district council and the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall) on 3 February to discuss damp housing in Dumbarton. The chief medical officer at the Scottish Office has also discussed the matter with the convention and with Scottish Homes as part of the work being undertaken to take forward the initiatives in "Scotland's Health: A Challenge To Us All". The medical implications of dampness and condensation were described in the chief medical officer's speech to the convention's annual conference on 26 March. The text of the speech has been sent to directors of public health in health boards.
§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he offers to health authorities with regard to the risk to children living in housing affected by dampness and condensation.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 7 June 1993]: The medical implications of dampness and condensation in housing 378W were described in the chief medical officer's speech to the annual conference of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on 26 March. The text of the speech has been sent to directors of public health in health boards.