§ 73. Mr. JOHNSTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to give any information as to the extent and results of the scheme for the provision of cheap milk to children of preschool years and sick and nursing mothers in the Rhondda; and whether and, if so, when he proposes to extend the scheme to other areas?
§ The MINISTER of PENSIONS (Mr. Ramsbotham)I have been asked to reply. The scheme referred to is operated by the Milk Marketing Board, with assistance from the funds at the disposal of the Commissioner for the Special Areas, and in co-operation with the local authority and local distributors. As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply given to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Honiton (Mr. Drewe) on 12th November, of which I am sending him a copy. Subsequent figures show that up to 28th November applications to participate in the scheme had been re-received in respect of 4,091 persons, including 334 nursing mothers, 386 expectant mothers and 3,371 children under five. Approximately 96,000 pints of milk were supplied under the scheme in November. With reference to the last part of the question, I understand that the Milk Marketing Board, in conjunction with the Commissioner for the Special Areas, are carefully exploring the possibility of starting similar schemes in other areas.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONCould the hon. Gentleman give further information as to the results on the physique of the persons who have participated in the scheme?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI cannot give those details at the moment, but the Milk Marketing Board is arranging, I think, a special investigation which will be completed before long.