Health: Obesity

Lord McNally Excerpts

Monday 12th November 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Jolly]

My Lords—

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord McNally)]

I suggest that we hear from the noble Lord, Lord McColl.

[Lord McColl of Dulwich]

I congratulate the Government on rejecting the misleading advice of that quango, NICE, which misled politicians by denying that the answer to the obesity epidemic was to eat less. What plans are there to prevent NICE making such serious mistakes in the future?

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Elystan-Morgan]

My Lords—

[Lord McNally]

I suggest we hear from the noble Lord, Lord Foulkes.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

My Lords, I, too, have an interest to declare; I think it is fairly obvious if you look at me. That is why I want to ask a serious question of the Minister. Will he say to medical practitioners and others that it does not help to be critical and condemnatory of those of us who are obese? It is important to give information and encouragement. Otherwise, there can be complications and people can end up with depression and other illnesses, so it is very important to give encouragement. I am glad to say that that is why I have been able to lose more than a stone in the past month.