§ 67. Mr. Sandysasked the Minister of Health, in view of the recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Nutrition that the consumption of potatoes should be increased, whether the Government contemplate taking steps to provide potatoes at reduced prices on the lines of the Bishop Auckland scheme?
§ Sir K. WoodThe matter is receiving consideration, together with the other recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Nutrition, but I am not yet in a position to say what further action may be taken.
§ 68. Mr. Sandysasked the Minister of Health whether it is the intention of the Government to institute the inquiries into income distribution, family budgets and diet recommended by the Advisory Committee on Nutrition in their recent report, in so far as these are not already covered by existing investigations?
§ Sir K. WoodYes, Sir. The dietary surveys have already commenced. As regards family budgets, it is hoped to obtain information as to food consumption in the course of the inquiry which is being undertaken by my right lion. Friend the Minister of Labour for the purpose of the revision of the cost of living index number. The method of carrying out the remaining proposal is receiving immediate consideration.
§ 69. Mr. Sandysasked the Minister of Health whether the Government have yet come to any decision in regard to the recommendations made by the Milk Reorganisation Commission for the increased consumption of liquid milk, the necessity for which is stressed in the recent report of the Advisory Committee on Nutrition?
§ Sir K. WoodThe recommendations of the Commission as a whole are still receiving the Government's careful consideration. I would, however, draw my hon. Friend's attention to the circular which I issued on 1st April to maternity and child welfare authorities (of which I am sending him a copy) inviting their attention to the report of the Advisory Committee on Nutrition and urging them to review their arrangements for the supply of milk in the light of that report.
Miss RathboneCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hopes to local authorities that they will receive financial aid in providing milk on a more generous scale?
§ Sir K. WoodI will send the hon. Member a copy of the circular, in which she will see that that matter is referred to.
§ Mr. T. JohnstonWill the right hon. Gentleman place a copy of the circular in the Library, so that all Members can see it?
§ Sir K. WoodYes, and I will also send the right hon. Gentleman a copy.