asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his views on the sale and distribution of sweets in schools throughout the country, if he favours the discouragement of such shops in view of the often deleterious effect of sweets on the health of the children, if such shops need a trader's licence, and if he will undertake a campaign to have the goods presently on sale replaced with fruit.
Written Answers. - Sweets in Schools.
390.
While over-consumption of sweets could lead to an unbalanced diet, in the case of children the main concern is that frequency of consumption stimulates dental decay. This problem is constantly highlighted by the Health Education Bureau, the Dental Health Foundation and the health boards.
Consumption of sweets is of course a matter of personal choice. Experience has shown that compulsory measures can be counterproductive and I would in any event prefer to persuade rather than compel parents and children to cultivate healthy dietary patterns including a balanced intake of fruit. The Deputy can be assured that I will continue to stimulate relevant agencies to maintain their educational programmes in this area.
I am sure that the school authorities are increasingly conscious of the need to take dietary patterns fully into account when considering issues such as the sale and distribution of sweets in schools. For example, during the recent Dental Health Week, over 600,000 competition leaflets stressing the importance of careful eating were issued through the school authorities for completion by pupils. Over 500,000 completed forms were returned, indicating awareness and interest on the part of school authorities, teachers and pupils in this subject.
I am informed that a trader's licence is not required by school shops.