50. Mrs. Adamsonasked the Minister of Food whether, under the scheme for the distribution of food and clothing coupons to expectant mothers, he will authorise his food officers to notify the health department of the local authority with particulars of applicants and thus facilitate contacts with health visitors for advice.
§ Colonel LlewellinNo, Sir. The suggestion made by my hon. Friend has already been carefully considered and I have been advised that a considerable proportion of women would object if information which they gave to the Food Office were divulged to anyone.
Mrs. AdamsonDoes the Minister not realise that, if this procedure were carried out, it would remove the grievances and opposition of the local authorities and would be in the interests of expectant mothers?
§ Colonel LlewellinBefore these women come to the food offices for their special priority issues of cod liver oil and things of that sort, they require to have a medical certificate, and that seems to be the appropriate time to give them advice as to what to do for medical purposes.
Mr. AdamsonI hope the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will give further consideration to the matter, so that early contact by the health visitor can be established.