I READ the Globe article Hunger stalking primary schools hoping for enlightenment.

Frank Field ascribed the problem to "a breakdown in parenting and a rise in number of families on low incomes."

Given the priority position of poor parenting I expected to find in his report Britain's not-so-hidden hunger new evidence for this contention.

However the only place poor parenting is mentioned is in Frank's report foreword.

The evidence and conclusions sections focus exclusively on low incomes.

Frank mentions parents "spending too much on drink or drugs" as one reason for hunger, but then says "we do not know."

Having then described his assumed model of parental neglect, based on "impressions" he concludes "We have too few facts to give any numbers."

This is a continuation of the evidential style of the first Hunger report, where readers will recall Lady Jenkin, Frank’s study collaborator, blamed malnutrition on poor parents not knowing how to cook.

As she said "a bowl of porridge costs only 4p." 

The problem is, what do you do when you have no money for gas or electricity?

She was widely condemned for blaming the victims.

Frank is still trying to do the same.

Professor D P Gregg (retired) by email.