HC Deb 29 July 1964 vol 699 cc1420-2
33. Dr. A. Thompson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the uptake of the three vitamin welfare foods, orange juice, cod liver oil and vitamins A and D tablets, whether free or sold at cost price, has fallen by over two-thirds in the last eight years; what estimate he has made of the number of poorer families who would benefit from increased consumption of these welfare foods; and what steps he is taking to increase their consumption.

Mr. Noble

I am aware that the uptake of welfare foods is now about one-third of what it was in 1956, but it has recently been rising. To estimate the number of families who would benefit from increased consumption of welfare foods, would require a large-scale special survey. As regards the third part of the Question, advice on the value of welfare foods is regularly given by doctors, health visitors and local authority clinics, information about their availability is displayed by local authorities at suitable locations, and the National Assistance Board distributes special leaflets about the arrangements under which they may be supplied free.

Dr. Thompson

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the fall in the consumption of these units came after June, 1961, with the imposition of extra charges and that in the British Medical Journal of Saturday, 25th July, in examining this problem a Glasgow doctor said that the increase in rickets was not due, as has been alleged, to coloured immigration or to unsatisfactory families but was primarily due to the reduction in the consumption of vitamin foods? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this was the direct consequence not of medical activity but of a political decision by the Government of which the right hon. Gentleman is a member and for which therefore he has responsibility? Will he look again at this question of free distribution of vitamin foods for children?

Mr. Noble

As I have already said, when Dr. Arneil's analysis is completed we will certainly look into it and see what special steps are needed.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

Does the analysis include cases, which are alleged, of blatant deficiencies? This is an important matter, as the right hon. Gentleman must recognise, particularly relevant to an earlier Answer which he gave to one of my hon. Friends.

Mr. Noble

I cannot answer for Dr. Arnteil on that, but I know that he is very much aware of the problem and I expect that he will give useful information about it.