asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will adopt a national schools screening programme to detect curvature of the spine;(2) if he will list those areas which currently carry out national schools screening programme to detect curvature of the spine.

I am aware of a recent report by the Disabilities Study Unit which recommended a schools screening programme for scoliosis and I have asked for it to be studied in the Department. A full medical inspection is carried out on every child at or about school entry. Thereafter, the school health service's programme of health surveillance, should result in the detection of curvature of the spine in children who will then be referred for treatment.