§ 32. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the 54 per cent. fall in consumption of orange juice by mothers and young children, and the 64 per cent. fall in consumption of cod liver oil by young children since the prices of welfare goods were raised in 1961, he will now restore the former prices.
§ Mr. AllaunDoes not this mean that the Government are hitting the very poorest children, those who need these foods most? Is not the Minister aware that, for the first time since 1945, cases of sub-clinical rickets are being reported? Will he, therefore, honour the pledge given by his predecessor in 1961 that in such circumstances the charges would be reconsidered?
§ Mr. BarberWhere families are in need welfare foods are available free. Most people in this country today can perfectly well afford to pay for these items. I want the State's help—the taxpayers' money—to go where it is most needed, and this is not a case for indiscriminate subsidy. I am informed that the few cases of rickets have been among children of immigrants and that it is a question of ensuring that parents realise the need for children to have adequate quantities of Vitamin D.