§ Mr. Hattersleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will seek to obtain details of the work done in the University of Birmingham departments of chemistry and social medicine concerning the advisability of children with high lead content in their blood being encouraged to drink milk; and if he will arrange for a statement on this subject by his profesisonal advisers;
(2) if he will seek powers to authorise the distribution of free milk to children for whom it would have medical benefits;
(3) if he will seek powers to authorise local authorities to pay for the provision of free milk to children for whom it would have positive medical benefits;
280W(4) what professional advice he has received concerning the medical advantages of encouraging children with a high lead content in their blood to drink milk.
§ Sir K. JosephMy medical advisers have recently received details of the work done in the University of Birmingham departments of chemistry and social medicine, and these are being studied. In December 1971, all medical officers of health and principal school medical officers were advised by the Chief Medical Officer about possible hazards from excessive amounts of lead in food, the atmosphere, water and soil and asked to consider, particularly in the case of young children, what investigations should be undertaken. So far my medical advisers are not aware of any evidence that establishes that the health of children is in danger in this respect or that the provision of milk would be beneficial in this connection.