§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish details showing how eligibility to free welfare milk is calculated.
§ Mr. DeakinsThose eligible for free welfare milk are: (a) expectant mothers and children under age 5 years and I month in families who are receiving Supplementary Benefit or Family Income Supplement or are in special need because of low income (see note below);
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- (b) expectant mothers who have two children under age 5 years and 1 month, regardless of family income;
- (c) all but two of any children under 5 years 1 month in one family, regardless of family income;
- (d) children under the age of 5 years and 1 month who are attending an approved day nursery or playgroup or who are minded by an approved child minder; and
- (e) handicapped children between age 5 and 16 years who are not in paid employment and who, because of their disability, are not registered pupils at a school or special school.
Special need on grounds of low income is calculated in the same way as is entitlement to Supplementary Benefit except that £4 of weekly earnings are disregarded for two-parent families and there are included in the calculation of an applicant's weekly requirements:
- (a) the standard price of milk at the rate of one pint a day, currently 66½p a week, and the cost of vitamin supplements, 2p a week;
- (b) the sum of £2.50, known as the tolerance margin; and
- (c) if applicable, an amount for mortgage capital repayments.
In the calculation of weekly requirements account may also be taken of special expenses such as insurance or hire purchase payments.
For examples of the levels of earnings up to which families qualify for free milk on grounds of low income I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn and Hatfield (Mrs. Hayman) on 12th November.—[Vol. 919, c. 309–10.]