asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to encourage a reduction of the intake of dietary salt in the United Kingdom.

Under the Health Education Council's endorsement scheme for bread which came into effect last year, the major bread manufacturers have reduced the salt content of their product by 12·5 per cent. In addition, steps are in hand to reduce the salt content of processed foods following discussions between manufacturers and officials about implementing the report on diet and cardiovascular disease by the chief medical officer's committee on the medical aspects of food policy (COMA). The public are advised about dietary salt intake through various health educational publications.