§ Mr. WolfsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to publish the report of the committee of inquiry into the future development of the public health function and community medicine; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MooreI have today published the report of the inquiry set up by my predecessor to consider the future402W development of the public health function in England. As required by its terms of reference, the report concentrates on the control of communicable disease and the role of public health doctors within the framework of general management in the NHS and also examines the wider issues of the public health function. It suggests ways in which surveillance of the health of the population might be improved, a greater emphasis on the prevention of illness and premature death achieved, and the effectiveness of health services better evaluated. The Government are grateful for the work of the chairman and members of the inquiry. We shall be studying their recommendations in detail as a matter of urgency and hope to make a further statement on implementation in the near future.