§ Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the figures for the average weekly isues of National Dried Milk for May and June.
§ Mr. DeakinsFigures for weekly issues are not available. The latest available figures are for the quarter ended 27th March 1976, and showed issues, both free and by sale, at an average of 54,000 packs a week (England). Returns for the quarter ended 25th June 1976 have been received from 15 per cent. of area health authorities. These show that issues for that quarter were rather over 60 per cent. of issues for the quarter ended 27th March 1976.
§ Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if National Dried Milk is still being manufactured under contract; and, if so, when the contracts expire.
1033W
§ Mr. DeakinsThree months' notice of termination of contract was given on 29th July 1976 for all contracts.
§ Mr. Kenneth Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the total stock of National Dried Milk currently held in his Department's depots; and what plans he has for its disposal, in view of its shelf life of 12 months.
(2) what would be the cost of writing off the value of current National Dried Milk stock.
§ Mr. DeakinsStocks held for issue to area health authorities total 1¼ million packs. Sales and free issues will continue until a date in 1977 to be announced. Any surplus thereafter will be realised at the highest prices obtainable.