PENSIONERS' MILK (Hansard, 30 November 1955)

§ Mr. Roy Mason (Barnsley)

I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill for the better provision of milk pre-packed in suitable quantities for persons of pensionable age; and for purposes connected therewith. I ask that leave be given to bring in this Bill, which will remove the legal prohibition on the sale of one-third pint bottles of milk to old-age pensioners. I fully realise that much back benchers' time has already been taken up and I therefore promise to be very brief and very much to the point.

It comes to my notice that at present old-age pensioners are very much handicapped when desiring to purchase milk. It so happens that in the majority of towns only pint bottles of milk are produced, and people of limited means, if requiring this valuable liquid sustenance, are bound to buy a pint. Old-age pensioners living on their own are particularly hit when only such a limited measure is available. In the summer months, when this liquid is apt to lose its value rather quickly by turning sour, we either see their old-age pensions frittering away or we see them depriving themselves of milk. In either case it gives rise to grave concern.

I should like to quote from one of the many letters which I have received from old-age pensioners on how they attempt to keep this milk from going sour during the summer months: My wife died seven months ago, and even when she was alive and there were two of us, some portion of our pint bottle of milk went sour during the hot weather. I am not exaggerating when I say that since I have been left on my own, during the recent hot summer, I have thrown away what would be equal to six or seven pints of sour milk, and this in spite of the fact that I have immersed the bottle in cold water and put a wet cloth over the top of it. Also, I have boiled some of my pints of milk and also tried putting bicarbonate of soda in the milk, but still a good portion of the milk went sour before I could use it. This is a very good indication of how all old-age pensioners, if they buy this large measure of milk, are trying to preserve their milk every summer.

There is, however, a method by which we in the House can relieve them of their anxiety in this respect. The best method, of course, is to raise old-age pensions so that if they wish they may buy the full measure of a pint per day without undue financial worry, but until that day arrives ways and means must be found to help them financially in an indirect manner.

2314 Sir, this is such a Bill. In every town all the dairies produce one-pint bottles of milk. A very few produce half-pint bottles. But practically all the dairies produce one-third pint bottles of milk for school children, and if they do not there is an agreement with a neighbouring dairy to produce such bottles on their behalf. This third-of-a-pint measure, however, is only for school children and is an illegal measure to anyone else.

My Bill would remove the legal prohibition for old-age pensioners, enabling them, too, to purchase this small quantity of milk. To many who live on their own this quantity daily may be sufficient. Couples, too, would benefit in so far as they could, if they desired, purchase two-thirds of a pint instead of a full pint. Old-age pensioners who have bought milk, regarding it as a necessity, and have seen it waste during periods of hot weather, would stand to gain financially by this Bill. On the other hand, old-age pensioners who, because of financial embarrassment, have refrained from buying milk, will be encouraged to buy this small measure of milk.

Small though it may be, this Bill aims to help a section of the community who now more than ever deserve our support. They have no direct Parliamentary representation of their own. There is no trade union to sponsor their claims when the cost of living tends to shoot beyond their financial means. Because of this, plus their present plight, serious consideration should be given to any measure which will help them to enjoy the eventide of their lives in happiness and good health. I recognise that this Bill can only help partially to achieve that desire, but it is a step in the right direction. I ask that the House give me leave to bring in the Bill.