HC Deb 31 May 1954 vol 528 cc888-9
35. Mr. Steward

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that vouchers for seven pints of milk weekly are being given to schoolchildren, he will give this concession to old-age pensioners who are obliged to seek National Assistance.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Charles Hill)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Llewellyn) on Friday, 28th May, 1954

Mr. Steward

Would not my hon. Friend agree that the need for giving free milk to old-age pensioners is at least as great as the need for giving it to children whose parents, in many cases, could afford to pay for it themselves?

Dr. Hill

I suggest to my hon. Friend that this method of augmenting pensions by selecting particular commodities for a reduction in price is likely to be unfair in its application.