§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the proposed reorganisation of the National Health Service and the transfer of the school health services to the local health authorities, he is yet ready to institute the review of the child health services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. JosephTogether with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, I have decided to establish a committee with the following terms of reference.
To review the provision made for health services for children up to and through school life; to study the use made of these services by children and their parents; and to make recommendations.Professor Donald Court, who is President of the British Paediatric Association 372W and was until recently Professor of Child Health at Newcastle University, has agreed to act as the chairman of the committee.The National Health Service Reorganisation Bill now before Parliament provides for the transfer to the new health authorities of responsibility for the school health services and will enable them, in collaboration with local education authorities and with local authorities generally, to create a comprehensive child health service.
We shall look to the committee to advise us on how to take the fullest advantage of this unique opportunity.