HC Deb 27 October 1955 vol 545 cc350-1
10. Mr. Lewis

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that certain local authorities are issuing to schoolchildren milk tablets in place of fresh milk; to what extent this is in accordance with instructions from his Department; and whether he will publish in HANSARD details of the circular issued by his Department to education authorities on this subject.

12. Mr. Hamilton

asked the Minister of Education how many education authorities are now issuing milk in tablet form to schoolchildren and what steps are being taken to ensure the supply of liquid milk to such children.

Mr. Vosper

Seventeen local education authorities are providing either dried milk or milk tablets, with the approval of my right hon. Friend, to ninety-six schools in all, for which they have been unable to make satisfactory arrangements for the supply of fresh milk. I am sending the hon. Members copies of the memorandum which I sent to local education authorities last March.

Mr. Lewis

Have any investigations been made as to whether the nutritional value of the milk tablets is as good as that of the fresh milk? What particular difficulties have now occurred which prevent these authorities supplying fresh milk as against twelve or eighteen months ago, when they used to supply it?

Mr. Vosper

There is no suggestion that milk tablets are as good as liquid milk, but they are an adequate substitute. In reply to the latter part of the question, there have always been a number of schools which on account of their remote situation have been unable to get a supply of liquid milk.

Mr. Hamilton

Is it the policy of the hon. Gentleman's Department actively to encourage or discourage the replacement of liquid milk supplies by the tablet form? Will the Minister undertake that steps will be taken in line with the recommendations of the Surrey County Council to break what it calls "milk rings" in the provision of liquid milk to schools?

Mr. Vosper

I am aware of the question relating to Surrey but no application has yet been received by my right hon. Friend. It is important that, as well as getting a suitable supply, the supply shall be at a reasonable price. I am hopeful that the Surrey milk retailers will follow the example of their colleagues in Devonshire and Derbyshire and supply milk at a reasonable price, thus avoiding the use of milk tablets.

Mr. Lewis

In view of the fact that the Minister has admitted that the nutritional value of tablets is not as good, will he state what steps his Department has taken or will take to try to encourage these local authorities to supply fresh milk?

Mr. Vosper

All I said was that a supply of liquid milk was preferable, but there are some schools to which it would be extremely difficult to supply liquid milk.