§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Department for Education and Skills on the implications for healthy eating of the use of vending machines in schools. [176126]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 27 May 2004]: My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills meet regularly on a range of issues, including healthy eating in schools. There are a number of pieces of work currently under way that are considering the implications of vending machines, which will feed into the Public Health White Paper to be published in autumn:
The healthier vending machine project is currently being piloted as part of the food in schools programme, which is jointly led by the Department of Health and Department for Education and Skills.The Secretary of State for Education and Skills is working with other Ministers—including myself—to develop a "Healthy Living Blueprint", to bring a whole school approach to food and nutrition.The Department has been working with other Government Departments on "Choosing a Better Diet" which forms part of the overall "Choosing Health?" consultation.