§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many nursing mothers are obtaining National Dried Milk free of charge.
§ Mr. AlisonI regret this information is not available. Under the Welfare Food Order, 1971, free milk tokens are issued to certain expectant mothers and children under five years and one month and these can be used for either liquid milk or National Dried Milk. A nursing mother, whilst she is suckling her child, may consume free welfare milk supplied in respect of her child. No figures are collected on the number of persons who choose to take National Dried Milk; the number of 20-ounce packs supplied in England free of charge in the quarter ended 25th September, 1971, was over 58,000.
§ Mr. David Clarkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the 73W price at which National Dried Milk is sold; and how this compares with the principal proprietary brands of dried milk for babies.
§ Mr. AlisonNational Dried Milk is available, under the Welfare Food Order, 1971, at child health clinics and welfare food distribution centres only for expectant mothers and children under school age. Those who are not entitled to a free supply can buy it at the present price of 20p for a 20-ounce pack, which is a little over half the cost of the recommended retail prices for the main proprietary brands.