§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has conducted surveys into the effect on the growth and health of children in Great Britain of the abolition of free school milk for children aged 7 to 11 years; and what were the results of such surveys.
§ Mr. MoyleThe following studies have been commissioned by my Department with the advice of the Chief Medical Officer's Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy:
- (a) From the Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Social Medicine at St. Thomas's Hospital, a growth study of primary school children aged 5 to 11 years; originally this was a five-year study which began in 1972. From the outset it was recognised that significant results could not be expected until completion of the programme. The results are still being analysed. A further five-year surveillance programme began in 1977.
- (b) From the Medical Research Council's Epidemiology Research Unit, a study to determine the effect of school milk on the growth-rate of 7 to 8-year-old children. Findings from this study are not expected until next year.