§ Mr. TruswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the fitness of the nation's schoolchildren and (b) the effects of the proposed removal of physical education from the core curriculum. [29404]
§ Ms JowellOn the Department of Health's behalf, the Health Education Authority is currently completing a review ("Young and Active") of the physical activity and fitness levels among children and young people aged between 5 and 18. I expect to receive their assessment of the current situation and recommendations for future action shortly. In addition, the 1997 Health Survey also included questions about children's physical activity levels. The results will be available towards the end of 1998.
My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, with whom I work closely on health matters related to schoolchildren, will be responding with regard to the place of physical education in the curriculum.