§ Mr. DREWEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to make a further statement with regard to experimental schemes for the provision of cheap milk to nursing and expectant mothers and children under five years of age in the Special Areas?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am glad to announce that the Milk Marketing Board, with the co-operation of the Commissioner for the Special Areas, England and Wales, the Rhondda Urban District Council and the local distributors have this week instituted an experimental scheme for the supply of milk to nursing and expectant mothers and to children under school age in the Rhondda Valley at the reduced price of 2d. a pint. I am arranging for fuller particulars of the scheme to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The following are the particulars:
The price under the scheme is less than two-thirds the normal average retail price. Under the scheme the distributors accept a reduced margin of 8d. a gallon (compared with the normal average margin of over 10d. a gallon). The Milk Board and the Commissioner for the Special Areas each pay half the further amount (about 7d. per gallon) necessary 1550W to enable the milk to be sold at the reduced price. The Rhondda Urban District Council are co-operating in the local administration of the scheme.
It is proposed that these facilities should be made available until 30th September, 1937. The minimum quantity per head to be supplied under the scheme is one pint per day. A greater quantity can be supplied to individuals on the certificate of the Medical Officer of Health. The milk is delivered to the consumer. The whole scheme, including approval of the sources of supply, is under the supervision of the Medical Officer of Health.