HC Deb 31 July 1940 vol 363 cc1233-5
44. Mr. Leach

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the offer to supply cheap or free milk to persons in receipt of public or unemployment assistance is conditioned by an interpretation of circular F.I.G. 321, 17th June, in relation to eligible households in such a way as to prevent the great majoritiy of such persons receiving any milk under the scheme; and can he see his way to free the scheme from this restriction?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Boothby)

The National Milk Scheme was designed to provide milk for those persons most in need of it, on grounds of nutrition, namely, children under five, and expectant and nursing mothers, and its benefits are restricted to such persons. The passage in the circular to which the hon. Member refers explained that where the householder is himself in receipt of public or unemployment assistance, or a supplementary old age pension, that fact does not exclude the mothers and children of the household, who are qualified, from the benefits of the scheme.

Mr. Leach

Is it not true that persons in receipt of unemployment assistance are eligible under some limited circumstances for this milk, and, if so, why are the circumstances so limited?

Mr. Boothby

No, Sir, the facts are exactly as stated in the answer.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

When will the inquiry now proceeding be finished and the results published?

Mr. Boothby

We hope, very shortly.

45. Mr. Liddall

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he can give the approximate administration costs of the Department's cheap milk scheme and the value of the milk which passes through it; and how these compare with the administrative expenses of the Milk Marketing Board and the value of the milk that they control?

Mr. Boothby

It is as yet too soon to give any close estimates either of the cost of the administration of the National Milk Scheme, or of the value of the milk to be distributed under the scheme. The former may amount to £800,000 in the first year, and the latter to £15,000,000 on the assumption that there will be 2,500,000 beneficiaries. The administrative expenses of the Milk Marketing Board, according to the latest published accounts, made up to 31st March, 1940, amounted to £427,000 in dealing with net realisations of milk amounting to ap- proximately £49,000,000 by sales to 13,000 purchasers, and to approximately £16,000,000 by sales from producer-retailers and farmhouse cheesemakers whose operations are regulated by the Board. The scope and purposes of the two schemes are, of course, entirely different.