asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children were estimated to be suffering from scoliosis at the latest convenient date; how this compares with figures for each of the previous five years; and if he is satisfied that enough is done to detect scoliosis in children.

I regret that this information cannot be obtained from available statistics, but I am informed that a recent study has suggested that a screening programme is likely to reveal that tion charges, dental charges and ophthalmic charges, and the percentage contribution which those charges made to the financing of the National Health Service.

The figures for England are as follows:some 2·5 per cent. of children between the ages of 9 and 14 have spinal deformity. This information is quoted in a report just received from the Disabilities Study Unit and which is being studied in the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many adults are currently suffering from scoliosis; and what proportion of these could have been treated with earlier detection of the condition.

I regret that this information is not available. Whether any particular adult now suffering from scoliosis could have been treated successfully with earlier detection of the condition is a matter for clinical judgment.