§ Mr. Barnesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many families have claimed free welfare foods since April, 1971.
§ Mr. AlisonThe number of claims, including repeat and renewal claims, for free welfare milk and vitamins made by families in Great Britain with a low income in the period April, 1971, to March, 1972, inclusive totalled some 229,000 of which about 147,000 were 67W successful. These figures do not include families with an expectant mother or young children and receiving supplementary benefit or family income supplement who automatically qualify for free welfare milk and vitamins without making a separate claim.
In addition, during the same period, about 190,000 free welfare milk token books were issued against claims made on grounds of family size irrespective of income or for handicapped children aged 5 to 16 unable to attend school.