§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the main items of expenditure which make up the welfare foods budget.
§ Mr. NewtonThe welfare food service budget for 1982–83 comprises the following:
396W
£ million (Estimated outturn) Free liquid milk (1 pint a day, against tokens) 52.5 Free dried milk—from Health Authority Clinics (2 packs a week, against tokens) 60 Free milk for young children in daycare (reimbursement of cost of 1/3 pint a day) 0.4 Vitamins A C & D—from Health Authority Clinics 0.4* 59.3 * Approximately 15 per cent. of this figure is the cost of providing free vitamins to those in need. The balance of the sum refers to the sale of vitamins at advantageous prices in health clinics.
§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much was spent on welfare foods in 1980–81, 1981–82 and 1982–83; and what were the main reasons for any changes in expenditure.
§ Mr. NewtonDetails of expenditure on welfare food service in the last three years are as follows:
Out-turn year £ 1980–81 28,158,825 1981–82 41,684,616 1982–83* 59,263,000 * Estimated. The main reason for the increases in expenditure is the need to cater for a larger number of beneficiaries—young children up to 5 years 1 month and expectant mothers in families in receipt of supplementary benefit, family income supplement or otherwise on low income. A contributory factor is the rise in the price of liquid milk over the period from 16½p to 21p a pint.