HL Deb 04 December 1997 vol 583 cc199-200WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in the light of the report, Young Teenagers and Alcohol in 1966, published by the Office for National Statistics, they are satisfied with arrangements for educating children about the risks to health of alcohol misuse and abuse.

The Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment (Baroness Blackstone)

Yes, although there is no room for complacency and we continue to work to strengthen provision. There are references to alcohol in the statutory requirements for drug education in schools, set out as part of the national curriculum science order. We are continuing to support drug, including alcohol, education, through the standards fund in 1998–99, building on the £18 million available for such work over the last three years through the grants for education support and training programme. Education about alcohol is likely to be most effective in the context of an overall drug and health education programme, determined by individual schools to reflect local needs and circumstances.