asked the Minister for Health if he will promote the relative nutritional values of the normal range of foods available to the public in general, and especially to the schools.

As I indicated in a reply to a parliamentary question on this subject on 19 October last, the Health Education Bureau have initiated a public education programme about maintenance of a healthy bodyweight which makes use of a chart indicating the sources which provide the nutrients necessary for a balanced diet.

I also asked the Food Advisory Committee to prepare further details of the intake of nutrients from food and drink and I hope to have these available shortly. This information will then be used by the Health Education Bureau to complement their existing campaign and it will be suitable for use in schools.

Will the Minister state if this will include obtaining value for money? Very often people spend money unwisely for little nutritional value.

No. We are primarily concerned with the medical and nutritional aspects.

Would the Minister not agree that the Department of Social Welfare would be concerned with the other issue and that it might be as well to co-ordinate activity?

That is a separate question.