§ Mr. Nichollsasked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the difficulty of 740W operating the schools' milk service in West Ham, due to the absence of one-third-pint milk bottles; and what steps is she taking to secure the early provision of suitable closed containers of one-third-pint capacity.
§ Miss WilkinsonYes, Sir. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food that steps have been taken to remedy the general shortage of milk bottles. It is the intention of all concerned with school milk to restore the pre-war type of supply in one-third-pint bottles, with drinking straws, at the earliest possible moment, but this will depend on the improvements expected next year in labour, transport and bottling plant as well as on the supply of small bottles.
§ Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the increased production of T.T. milk in the county of Norfolk, she will make arrangements for schoolchildren to be supplied with T.T. milk while attending school; and, as supplies become available, make similar arrangements throughout the country.
§ Miss WilkinsonUnder the Regulations for the Provision of Milk and Meals, 1945, the source and quality of school milk must be approved by the medical officer of health. Subject to this, no exception is taken by my Department to the supply of tuberculin tested milk to schoolchildren if heat treated milk is not available or, in other cases, if no extra expense is involved. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that there are no medical grounds on which I should be justified in encouraging the supply of tuberculin tested milk in preference to heat treated milk.