§ 4. Mr. Sidney Marshallasked the Minister of Education, whether ample supplies of one-third pint bottles are now available for school milk distribution; and to what extent in the London and home counties supplies are still being distributed by the teaching staffs in all sorts and kinds of odd containers from bulk.
§ Miss WilkinsonI regret that ample supplies of one-third pint bottles for school milk distribution are not yet available, but all possible steps are being taken to increase the supply and a gradual improvement in the position is expected. I am informed that in all but a few schools in London and the neighbouring areas milk is now being delivered in bottles and delivery in churns has been discontinued.
§ Mr. MarshallIs the Minister aware that in January she said the supply of bottles would gel better and that up to now there has, in fact, been no improvement? It is a very serious matter that teachers' time should be taken up distributing this milk from bulk, and can she do anything in this regard?
§ Mr. Peter FreemanMay I ask the Minister to consider the use of carton containers for this purpose? They are in supply and would be much more hygienic than this present system, and would do away with washing bottles.
§ Miss WilkinsonI am fully aware of all the uses of cartons, but they are available only in a few places and the Ministry of Supply cannot give us the amount of wax paper necessary for this job.
§ Mr. James HudsonCould not the Minister divert some of the beer bottles to this purpose?