Welfare Foods (Cost)

HC Deb 01 February 1971 vol 810 c291W

Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the net cost to the National Health Service of welfare orange juice and cod liver oil in each of the last three years.

Mr. Alison

After receipts have been set off against expenditure in the financial year, the approximate net costs for England were:

			Welfare Orange Juice	Cod Liver Oil
			£	£
1967–68	…	…	6,000	5,000
1968–69	…	…	28,000	5,000
1969–70	…	…	372,000	8,000
			(surplus)

The surplus on orange juice in 1969–70 arose from a restriction in bulk purchase so as to reduce stocks.

The figures do not take account of the costs to local health authorities of distributing welfare foods; these cannot be separately identified.