§ Mr. Buchanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will circulate to all medical officers of health in England and Wales the text of the letter she sent to the hon. Member for West Renfrewshire, saying that milk may be issued to all primary schoolchildren for preventative health purposes.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeNo. My right hon. Friend has already stated in the House that she does not think it appropriate to advise school medical officers how to carry out their duties under the Education (Milk) Act. The letter in question made it clear that a school medical officer could issue a certificate in respect of an individual primary school pupil whose health would, in his view, be at risk if he did not receive free milk at school, but that certification must be on an individual basis.