§ Mrs. Haymanasked 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. Moyle:Vitamin supplements will continue to be available free in exchange for tokens under the Welfare Food Order 1977 for
Because of increased raw material and production costs the United Kingdom health Ministers have agreed that the following price increases will take effect from 15th January 1979 for the same vitamin supplements which can be bought at clinics and welfare food distribution centres:
- a. expectant and nursing mothers and young children in families receiving supplementary benefit, family income supplement and in families with low incomes;
- b. expectant and nursing mothers and some young children in large young families, regardless of family income.
Present price Increased price Children's vitamin drops(per bottle) 9p 10p Vitamin tablets for expectant and nursing mothers (per container) 17p 24p The Welfare Food Order 1977 will require amendments 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 one penny a week for vitamin tablets and; in a family with two children under five years old, the extra cost of vitamin drops will be a half penny a week.