HC Deb 03 July 1967 vol 749 c164W
Mrs. Lena Jeger

asked the Minister of Health how many children in receipt of social security benefits are entitled to free welfare foods; and how many are receiving them.

Mr. Snow

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind children in families receiving supplementary benefits. It is estimated that on 29th March, 1967, there were about 215,000 children under five in these families, of whom about 195,000 were receiving free welfare foods.

Mrs. Lena Jeger

asked the Minister of Health how many children in families not in receipt of social security benefits are entitled to free welfare foods; how many are receiving them; and what steps he is taking to inform families of their entitlement.

Mr. Snow

I regret that information is not available as to the number of children entitled to free welfare foods in families not receiving supplementary benefits but on 29th March, 1967 about 4,800 children under five in these families were receiving free welfare foods. In reply to the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my predecessor's reply to her Question of 28th November. The publicity leaflet is being revised to bring out more clearly the conditions of free entitlement, and my right hon. Friend is considering what other measures may be useful.—[Vol. 737, c.8.]