§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are his intentions for the future of children's vitamin drops and vitamin tablets for expectant and nursing mothers.
§ Mr. DeakinsVitamin supplements will continue to be available free in exchange for tokens under the Welfare Food Order, 1977 for:
- (a) mothers and young children in families receiving supplementary benefit, family income supplement and in families with low incomes;
- (b) mothers and some young children in large young families, regardless of family income.
Because of increased raw material and production costs, the United Kingdom Health Ministers have agreed that the following price increases will take effect from 14th November 1977 for those who are buying vitamins at clinics and welfare food distribution centres:
Present price Increased price Children's vitamin drops (per bottle) 8p 9p Vitamin tablets for expectant and nursing mothers (per container) 10p 17p The Welfare Food Order 1977 will require amendment to give effect to these changes and an amending order will be laid before the House in due course. The effect of the price increases will be that an expectant mother will pay an extra 1p a week for vitamin tablets and in a family with two children under five years old the extra cost of vitamin drops will be ¼p a week.