§ Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will initiate a programme of research into the control of head lice infestation in schools.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department is currently carrying out a feasibility study to identify the broad issues of concern in 187W the school health services and the problem of head lice infestation is one of the issues that we are looking at. Once this study is complete we shall consider what, if any, action is needed for any or all of these services, including the need for any research or advice on this problem.
§ Mr. Colin ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he gives to area health authorities concerning the containment of the problem of head lice infestation in schools.
§ Mr. FreemanResponsibility for the control of head lice infestation among pupils lies with individual health authorities through the school health service. No specific advice is given to health authorities; it is for them to determine the policy for dealing with outbreaks of infestation in the light of local circumstances.
Every school has a named school nurse to advise and help on this problem. Many have stopped routine head inspections and are now adopting more positive practices through health education programmes and advice to parents on head lice infestation and how to deal with it. By increasing parental awareness, cases of infestation can be dealt with more promptly.