HC Deb 14 December 1994 vol 251 c685W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether she has discussed with the Secretary of State for Social Security measures to combat malnutrition in children of poor families;

(2) what recent representations she has received about the diet of children of low-income families; and if she will make a statement;

(3) what plans she has to assist children of poor families suffering from malnutrition.

Mr. Sackville

A small number of the responses to the 1993 consultation on the nutrition task force's draft action programme referred to the potential difficulties of eating healthily on a low income. I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the hon. Member for Bristol, East (Ms Corston) on 27 June,Official Report column 413–4 and 19 July at column 143–5 for more recent representations about diet and nutrition of children in different socio-economic circumstances.

Malnutrition is a term which covers a wide variety of single or combined deficiencies of nutrients and/or energy. Although there is some evidence that iron intakes are low in children there is no evidence that this is particularly a problem in low-income families. There is no other evidence of public health problems from inadequate nutrient intakes.

The welfare food scheme continues to provide a nutritional safeguard for children aged under five in families on income support.

The nutrition task force has set up a project team to consider ways of assisting people on a low income to choose a healthy diet. In establishing the team, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security was consulted.