§ 48. Mr. Gallacherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Ministry of Food, whether he has considered the letter from the Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association, protesting against the price of milk as it affects old age pensioners; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?
Major Lloyd GeorgeA communication has been received from the Angus Area Council of the Scottish Old Age Pensioners' Association appealing for the extension of the benefits of the National Milk Scheme to old age pensioners. As my Noble Friend has already announced, he is unable to consider the extension of the scheme to classes of the population outside the categories for whom it was devised—expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years of age.
§ Mr. GallacherIs it not possible and desirable that this extension should be made to such people as the old age pensioners? Surely the old people deserve special consideration.
Major Lloyd GeorgeI must point out that this scheme was primarily introduced in order to safeguard the health of the rising generation.