HC Deb 15 December 1969 vol 793 cc211-2W
57. Mr. William Price

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what help is available through the National Health Service to people wishing to put on weight.

Dr. John Dunwoody

The general practitioner should be consulted so that the cause of the under-weight can be ascertained and dealt with if necessary.

58. Mr. William Price

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will estimate the number of underweight people in Great Britain.

Dr. John Dunwoody

The absence of any universally accepted standard by which to judge under-weight, and the multiplicity of causes which would need to be taken into account, would make this exercise a piece of statistical self indulgence.

Mr. William Price

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent study his Department has made into the causes of under-weight in people.

Dr. John Dunwoody

My Department has made no specific studies of the causes of under-weight in the population; but recently completed nutrition surveys and one that is in progress will provide information about under-nutrition in the groups covered by them.