§ 49. Mr. LENN0X-BOYDasked the Minister of Health whether he has any 637 statement to make on the facts, quantitative and qualitative, in relation to the diet of the people, or any proposals to effect changes therein which may appear desirable in the light of modern advances in the knowledge of nutrition?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThese questions have been referred to the Advisory Committee on Nutrition. As regards the facts, the committee have reported that the available data are insufficient and have recommended the collection of further particulars. The committee have, however, recently stressed the importance of milk as a food?
§ Mr. LENNOX-BOYDCan the hon. Gentleman give us even an approximate estimate of the date on which this committee may be expected to report again?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI am afraid I could not. It is a very wide and complicated inquiry.
§ Mr. SHINWELLAre we to understand that the lack of nutrition is largely, if not entirely, a question of wages?
§ 50. Mr. CARTLANDasked the Minister of Health what sums were allocated last year for the expenses of his Advisory Committee on Nutrition?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe sum of £300 was provisionally authorised for the expenses of the Advisory Committee on Nutrition in the financial year 1935–36 but the actual expenses were about £160.
§ 51. Mr. SANDYSasked the Minister of Health what is the present average daily consumption per head of milk; and, in view of the conclusions of the recent report of the Advisory Committee on Nutrition, what steps he proposes to take further to increase it?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThe present average daily consumption of liquid milk in this country is estimated at slightly less than half-a-pint per head. The Government accept the views expressed by the advisory committee as to the high value of milk as a food and, as my hon. Friend is aware, schemes for the provision of milk, either free or at cheap rates, to mothers and children are now in operation. The Government will give consideration to the further development 638 of these schemes, but this must await the general review of milk policy which will take place when the report of the Milk Reorganisation Commission is available.
§ Mr. SANDYSCan the hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that definite Government action will be taken during this Session?
§ Mr. T. JOHNSTONArising out of the original answer, is the Minister aware that there are industrial areas in this country where it has been shown by experiment that 26 per cent. of the houses never get any liquid milk at all?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONNo, they do not.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in the Cardiff experiment it was definitely proved that 26 per cent. of working-class children were getting no liquid milk at all; and can he give the House any idea as to when a report is expected on the subject from the Milk Reorganisation Commission; and will he also take the hon. Member for the Sutton Division of Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) aside and try to teach her something about beer and milk?
§ Mr. BELLENGEROn a point of Order. Is it in order for the Noble Lady to make a rash assertion without any substantial evidence whatever to back up that assertion?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI am afraid that if my time were taken up in considering all the rash assertions that are made, it would be impossible to make any progress.
Miss HORSBRIJGHIn calculating the amount of a half-pint per head, is the amount of milk consumed in the schools included?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREI fancy that is so. As regards the question put by the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams), I could not without notice express an, opinion on the experiment referred to, but I do know that under the policy of the Government the drinking of milk by school children has increased enormously.
§ Mr. SANDYSWill my hon. Friend answer my question whether any action will be taken during the course of this Session?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThat is not a question for me to answer.