HC Deb 25 October 1999 vol 336 cc748-9W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of schools in each health authority agreed to participate in the Health Education Authority's skin cancer campaign, Sun Know How. [94059]

Yvette Cooper

The Health Education Authority (HEA) has produced sun safety guidelines for schools including a good practice guide on the use of sunscreens. Although the authority does not at present hold statistics on the percentage of schools in each health authority that participated in the Sun Know How campaign, representatives of around 80 per cent. of health and local authorities receive comprehensive support, including training, resources and policy advice.

In 1999, the HEA supported the first ever Sun Care for Schools campaign which aims to raise awareness of sun protection and make reduced price sunscreen available to schools. To date, 110 local education authorities in England support the campaign, with over 3,000 schools taking part, reaching over six million school children.