§ 72. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Food if he has considered the case of the working-class household at Braintree, particulars of which have been submitted to him, in which 10s. 6d. a week is paid out for priority milk for two members of the household suffering from tuberculosis; and if he will make it possible for tuberculous people to get priority milk at a cheaper rate, as in the case of babies and expectant mothers.
§ Mr. StracheyI appreciate that this is a very hard case. But I do not think that the way to meet it is to extend the National Milk Scheme. Perhaps the hon. Member will consult with my Ministry and the Ministry of Health on the matter.
§ 76. Mr. Alpassasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that quantities of milk have been returned to farmers in East Compton and Pilning districts, near Bristol, as unfit for consumption; and if he will take steps to prevent the waste of milk in future.
§ Mr. StracheyI am aware that some milk has recently been returned to producers in the East Compton and Pilning districts because it was alleged to be unmarketable. I understand that the204W milk was tested by the distributors under the National Milk Testing and Advisory Scheme and failed to reach the required standards. I am having inquiries made as to the cause of the failures and why it was not possible to use the rejected milk for manufacturing purposes. I will communicate the results to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
§ 102. Captain Crowderasked the Minister of Food what arrangements are made for the disposal of any milk supplied to schools which is not drunk by the children; and what steps are taken to make absolutely certain that there is no waste of any school milk that is found to be surplus.
§ Mr. StracheyHead teachers have been asked to take all possible steps by careful ordering of school milk to avoid any appreciable, surplus; where a surplus occurs, which cannot be disposed of to children in the school, the local food office should he informed and will issue instructions as to its disposal.