§ Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Food what is the total quantity of milk distributed per week to non-priority users and how much to priority users, stating the total amount for each category; and what was the average amount of milk per person bought, distributed or consumed prewar.
§ Mr. StracheyThe total weekly quantity of milk distributed to different categories of consumers cannot be precisely stated, but the total quantities authorised for non-priority users in Great Britain when the standard weekly allowance is two pints per week, are approximately 9½ million gallons and for priority users approximately 10½ million gallons. The weekly quantities authorised for the different categories are as follow:
Non-Priority Gallons 1. Registered customers over 18 years 7,300,000 2. Non-priority establishments, e.g. canteens, restaurants, groups of industrial, business and clerical workers 2,200,000 9,500,000 Priority 1. Registered customers under 5 years … 2,900,000 2. Registered customers 5 to 18 years … 3,300,000 3. Expectant mothers 600,000 4. Mothers of children under 1 year 300,000 5. Invalids suffering from conditions which qualify for extra milk 1,300,000 6. Priority establishments, e.g. hospitals, schools and milk-in-schools scheme 2,100,000 10,500,000 During September, when the non-priority allowance was two pints per week, the total amount of liquid milk actually distributed was 99.06 million gallons, or a weekly average of 23.114 million gallons. For the years 1937 to 1939 inclusive the average weekly consumption of milk in England and Wales was 3.01 pints per head. For the year October, 1945, to September, 1946, the average consumption was 4.62 pints per head per week.