EFFECT OF DIET ON YOUNG OFFENDERS

Early day motion 771, tabled 25 February 2003 by David Tredinnick (Conservative). Signed by 29 members.

That this House welcomes the report by Natural Justice on young inmates in Aylesbury young Offenders' Institution; notes that the double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial found that by adding vitamins, minerals and other nutritional elements to inmates' diets anti-social behaviour was reduced; further notes that the reduction for minor offences was 33.3 per cent. and that the greatest reduction was the serious offences including violence, where there was a drop of nearly 40 per cent.; observes that the supplements just provided the vitamins, minerals and fatty acids found in a good diet; believes that a link between diet and behaviour has significant implications in crime prevention and reducing the prison population; and urges the Government to commission further research in this important area.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 3, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.