asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will establish a dietetics division in his Department to study and advise on such dietetic problems as future food shortages may give rise to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dietetic Problems.
The particular problem referred to does not call for the establishment of a special dietetics division in the Department as it falls within the general problem of nutrition which is being considered in conjunction with the county medical officers of health.
May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he includes in the personnel of his Department any qualified persons who specialise in dietetics?
Yes.
How many?
At least one. It is a question of what "qualified in dietetics" would mean. We have at least three or four members of our staff who have given special study to dietetics, and we have at least one member of our staff who is exceptionally well qualified in the subject.
And is available for consultation by any institution or public authority in this country on matters relating to dietetics?
The Department is available.
And the services of this gentleman will be used?
The services of the staff are available to the Minister.
The services of this gentleman and his assistants will be used to give reasonable information? I am asking this question: if a public authority or institution writes to the Department and asks: "How shall we amend the diets which we are in a position to offer to those for whom we are responsible?" will they get instructions from the Department? Is that not a reasonable question?
I should have to regard that as a separate question.
Oh, well, the Parliamentary Secretary will get a separate question.