Dr. Guestasked the Minister of Agriculture when he anticipates that the plan for providing cheap milk for expectant 1957W and nursing mothers, and children under five years of age, as provided under the Milk Amendment Act of 1938 and under the Milk Bill of 1939, will come into operation?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithI am happy to say that a scheme for the provision of milk to local authorities in England and Wales at reduced prices for consumption by expectant and nursing mothers and children under five years of age was submitted by the Milk Marketing Board and approved by me on 26th July. The scheme comes into force as from to-day and I hope that it will be possible to lay it before Parliament within the next day or two. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health will issue at the same time a circular letter and an explanatory memorandum to local authorities, with whom the initiative will then rest. I cannot at present say how soon it may be possible to bring the arrangements into operation in any given district.