§ 11. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration she has given to the reintroduction of free milk in State primary schools.
§ Mrs. ThatcherFree milk is already provided for all children under the age of 7, all children in special schools, and for any other children of primary school age who are considered by a school medical officer to need it on grounds of health. This safeguards all children who may be at risk nutritionally.
§ Mr. JonesTaking into account last year's massive inflation in food prices and this year's prediction of declining living standards for all of us, do not the Government feel compelled to think again on this issue?
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe increase in food prices was very much taken into account when we decided to keep the price of a school meal at 12p instead of increasing it.
§ Mr. Carter-JonesWill the right hon. Lady accept that she has a scheme for monitoring the adverse effects of the withdrawal of milk? Is it not true to say that sometimes when it is found that the withdrawal of milk is having an adverse effect it is too late to remedy the situation?
§ Mrs. ThatcherThat is why we arranged that school milk should be given to any child who needs it nutritionally. The hon. Gentleman is right in thinking that the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Food Policy does monitor the effects, if any, of the withdrawal of free school milk.