§ Viscount INGLEBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why, as reported in Health Education News No. 11 of 1977, the Family Planning Association is now to provide a joint publicity service with the Health Education Council at a cost to the tax payer of £200,000 per annum.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLThe allocation of £200,000 to the Health Education Council was made for promoting, and providing information about, family planning. The further development of family planning services is a priority for the National Health Service and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has judged it necessary to make this allocation because there are still too many people in need of contraception advice who are not yet receiving it. About one half of the allocation will be used by the Council to pay for an information service to be managed on its behalf by the Family Planning Association. The information service involves the provision of leaflets, posters, publications and publicity services to ensure that people know about the free NHS family planning services.
House adjourned at twenty-six minutes before six o'clock.)