HC Deb 20 March 1972 vol 833 c282W
Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mothers are currently in receipt of free welfare milk and food; and what his estimate is of the number who are entitled to claim these.

Mr. Alison

The estimated number of beneficiaries in Great Britain in receipt of tokens for free welfare milk in October, 1971—the latest date for which complete figures are currently available—was about 50,000 expectant and nursing mothers and about 540,000 children under school age. I estimate that of the total figure of 590,000 about 440,000 were also entitled to tokens for free vitamin preparations but the number who have taken advantage of this provision cannot be estimated.

Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many mothers are in receipt of free welfare milk and foods in the West Riding; what his estimate is of those who are eligible to claim; and what are the comparable figures for the constituent divisions of the county.

Mr. Alison

It is regretted that this information is not available in the form requested and could not be obtained without a wholly disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.