§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was spent in the last year for which figures are available on education programmes for dental health in Scottish schools; and whether, in the light of the findings on dental health published in the recent Scottish Home and Health Department report,
394Wtwo children earning £20, £30, £40, £50, £100 and £200 per week produced by increases of 10 per cent., 20 per cent. and 30 per cent, in gross pay, on reasonable assumptions about tax allowances; and what are the comparable figures for a single man, a married man with no children, and a married man with one child.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe figures are in the table below. For each level of weekly gross pay, the net pay is shown, and, in the lines i., ii., and iii., the gross pay increase by 10 per cent., 20 per cent, and 30 per cent., respectively. The net pay for the various family circumstances specified have been calculated on the basis that tax allowances and rate bands and national insurance contributions remained as now
he will initiate a special educational campaign in schools.
§ Mr. William RossIt is not possible to cost any single item of the schools curriculum.
As regards the second part of the Question, in April last year I commended to authorities the report of a working party which examined the scope and content of health education in schools. This report, which was issued as Curriculum 395W Paper No. 14, contained recommendations about a comprehensive and balanced programme of health education for both primary and secondary schools and about the treatment in schools of individual health issues, including the promotion of dental health.
The report has served to stimulate interest in the teaching of health education and the preparation of health education programmes. Next session Her Majesty's Inspectorate proposes to conduct a review of health education and I shall consider further the position of dental health in the light of the findings.