§ 3. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now considered the recommendation of the Central and Scottish Health Services Councils that welfare orange juice should be discontinued for children after two years of age; and what decision he has come to.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. J. Nixon Browne)As announced on 30th September, my right hon. Friend and my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Health have accepted the recommendation of the Joint Sub-Committee of the Central and Scottish Standing Medical Advisory Committees and have decided to discontinue the supply of welfare orange juice to children over the age of two from 1st November next.
§ Mr. HannanIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the utter dismay among responsible authorities that such a mean, parsimonious and wretched proposal should be accepted? Does it mean that the Secretary of State believes that the economic problems of the Government can be solved by depriving children of orange juice?
§ Mr. BrowneThis is not a question of economic policies at all. We had the recommendation of this Sub-Committee and have accepted it.
§ Mr. WoodburnCan the hon. Gentleman tell us how science changes with the Government? It seems that when a Government are in office during war-time and children are required to be preserved the Government discover that orange juice is good for them, but that when a Government want economy they discover that orange juice is not good for children.
§ Mr. BrowneThis is a case in which science seems to have changed with the Government. The difference is that this was a war-time measure when the diet was limited and sources of Vitamin C were scarce; but under the present Administration ample food is available.