38. Mr. WESTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is now in a position to give the House any information as to the effect of the milk scheme on the health of the children?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)As the milk scheme has only been in operation since the 1st October, I fear that it is too early to express any opinion regarding its effect on the health of the children.
Mr. WESTWill the Parliamentary Secretary say when he expects to be in a position to give us this information, and will be endeavour to obtain comparative tables showing the health of the children before and after this scheme was introduced?
Viscountess ASTORCould my hon. Friend not also show the effect of a scheme adopted some years ago in Scotland? Has there not been an enormous effect on the health of the children?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI do not think it would be possible to show the effect of the scheme until it has been in operation for at least six months or so. What form any figures will take I cannot say at this stage.