§ Mr. Purbrickasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that some expectant mothers and young children, priority consumers, went without milk for two days in Luton recently as a result of the failure of a milk distribution scheme, prepared under the direction of the Ministry; and whether criminal proceedings are to be taken against those responsible for putting into effect a scheme which may have led to the deaths of children?
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§ Mr. MabaneOwing to unforeseen circumstances there was a partial breakdown of milk deliveries in parts of Luton served by one distributor when the scheme for the rationalisation of retail deliveries was introduced at the beginning of this month. I much regret that this breakdown resulted in some priority consumers being temporarily without milk, but the position was never so bad as to endanger the health of children. The local food office took immediate steps to rectify the position by arranging for the affected areas to be served temporarily by other milkmen. I understand that the position is now much better and that very shortly the whole scheme will be working quite satisfactorily.