§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to introduce incentives for health authorities to invest money in health education.
§ Mr. Mellor[holding answer 18 April 1989]: Prevention of ill health and the promotion of good health is a Government priority. Health education is a key part of that, especially given the relationship between so many diseases and personal behaviour such as smoking, alcohol, sexual behaviour, diet and exercise. However, it is for health authorities to determine how the resources allocated to them are apportioned between all the services for which they are responsible, including health education. Authorities' work is monitored and health education has featured in ministerial reviews of English health authorities for the past two years. The importance the Government give to health education was reflected in the establishment of the Health Education Authority in 1987. One of the authority's functions is to plan and carry out work in co-operation with health authorities and act as a national centre of information and advice on health education. In addition the recommendation in the chief medical officer's report "Public Health in England" that directors of public health be appointed in each district and produce an annual report on the health of the population they serve is being implemented. The annual reports will be public documents and will draw attention to local health education issues, providing an additional incentive to action.