Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Health, whether he is aware that, due to the issue of national milk to children from one to five years of age without requiring attendance at maternity and child welfare centres, in Newcastle, as previously, there has ensued a serious falling off in attendances of such children at the centres, with the loss to them of continuing medical supervision previously given; and whether he will consider the desirability of making the issue of milk under this scheme contingent upon the children attending the centres?
§ Miss HorsbrughMy right hon. Friend has been informed by the local authority that there has been a falling off in the attendance of young children at the welfare centres. He does not think it is appropriate to link in the manner suggested in the second part of the Question the two distinct questions of attendance at these centres and distribution of milk under the National Milk Scheme which is administered by the Minister of Food. He has asked his officers to discuss with officers of the local authority the action which can most appropriately be taken to improve the attendances.