§ Mrs. Ann Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements she intends to make to supply baby milk powder which is suitable for 65W very young children instead of National Dried Milk.
§ Mr. MeacherFor babies who are not breast fed I intend that proprietary brands of modified baby milk food should be made available from 30th April at clinics and welfare food distribution centres. They will be provided for infants under age one year who are entitled to free dried milk in exchange for tokens under the Welfare Food Order 1975. Two packs of modified milk will be available against each token and the milks available will be chosen by area health authorities, in the light of local clinical advice, from the following:
Cow and Gate Baby Milk Plus
Cow and Gate Premium Baby Food
C & G V Formula
Ostermilk Complete Formula
New Improved Formula Ostermilk 2 (from mid-May)
SMA Gold Cap
SMA Regular Powder.
Health authorities are also being asked to sell proprietary brands of modified baby milks at all maternity and child health clinics and welfare food distribution centres.
The necessary Statutory Instruments to give effect to these arrangements will shortly be laid before the House.
My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales are making similar arrangements in Scotland and Wales. Appropriate arrangements to the same effect are also being made in Northern Ireland.