§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the restrictions on mothers' choice of baby milk formulas resulting from some health authorities' financial arrangements with manufacturers of infant formula;
(2) if he will list, so far as the information is available to him, the district health authorities in England and Wales which have made financial arrangements with manufacturers of infant formula to stock only one brand of baby milk food.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyOther than infants formulas supplied under the welfare food scheme, health authorities are free to purchase from the full range of available infant formulas. Purchases by authorities are determined on the advice of relevant health professionals. Information about purchases by individual district health authorities in England is not collected centrally. However, authorities are aware of problems that may arise by purchasing from only one manufacturer. Information about purchases in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.