Health Education

HC Deb 19 January 1987 vol 108 cc418-9W

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will consider setting up a new generalist Welsh health promotional body to encompass all aspects of health education provision in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mark Robinson

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 16 January.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what funds have been made available by his Department for health education in Wales in each year since 1979.

Mr. Mark Robinson

There is a health education element to many projects funded under a number of schemes operated by the Department. Finance for main initiatives is as follows:—

	£000
1978–79	176.2
1979–80	192.0
1980–81	221.8
1981–82	384.7
1982–83	457.2
1983–84	622.5
1984–85	693.3
1985–86	1,132.2
11986–87	1,495.4
1Best estimate but not of full year cost.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the report of the review of the Health Education Advisory Committee for Wales.

Mr. Mark Robinson

In view of the reply by my right hon. Friend on Friday, 16 January, announcing the establishment of a special health authority with responsibility for health education in Wales, it has been decided not to pursue the review of the Health Education Advisory Committee for Wales.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what initiatives his Department have supported in health education since 1983; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mark Robinson

The Department has instigated and supported a great many initiatives either through grant aid or advisory services since 1983. Health education is an element of numerous local and national schemes, not all of which can be identified separately.

Identifiable support has been centred on the work of the Health Education Council in Wales, such as Heartbeat Wales, the Welsh AIDS Campaign, cancer screening, alcohol abuse and the work of voluntary bodies such as Action on Smoking and Health and Council of Wales of Voluntary Youth Services. A major Welsh Office initiative has been the campaign to combat drug misuse. Most recent has been the announcement of 16 January by the Secretary of State to establish a special health authority in Wales with responsibility for health education.