§ 55. Mrs. Ayrton Gouldasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that old age pensioners are receiving no increased allowances this winter, he will raise their milk ration to half a pint a day instead of only two pints a week.
§ Sir B. SmithI am advised that there are no nutritional grounds for allowing extra milk to old age pensioners. In any 1332 case, the milk supply position precludes any such additional allowance. My hon. Friend will appreciate that, while milk continues in short supply, the establishment of a large new class of priority consumers would reduce the quantity of milk required for non-priority consumption, and, during the period of low production, it would bring the weekly non-priority allowance below two pints. More than 50 per cent. of the present milk supplies are already given to priority consumers, who represent one-third of the total number of consumers.
§ Mrs. GouldIs it possible to investigate the present priority consumers and find out whether it would be possible for some of these priorities to be used for old age pensioners who badly need the milk, instead of some of the classes who are getting it?
§ Sir B. SmithI have already said in my answer that I am investigating it.