HC Deb 27 July 1978 vol 954 cc865-7W
39. Sir G. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which authorities in the East Midlands

by the EEC on world and EEC markets, respectively, of foodstuffs listed in his answer of 19th May 1978, together with the respective costs in £ sterling of export refunds, sales subsidies and other payments together with respective totals.

Mr. Bishop

The attached table provides an analysis of expenditure by the EEC in 1977 on export refunds, subsidised sales and other methods of disposal. The figures are provisional and are drawn from an EEC Commission working document giving the position as known at 31st March 1978. I regret that figures of quantity are not available.

have reintroduced free school milk; and which have not.

Miss Margaret Jackson

Only one of the local education authorities in the East Midlands has so far given a formal reply to my Department; Northamptonshire has decided not to reintroduce free milk for 7–11-year-olds this autumn.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is satisfied with the progress being made to implement the new scheme to provide free school milk for children from seven to 11 years of age; how many local authorities have taken up the option; how many have refused to do so; and if she will make a statement.

Miss Margaret Jackson

So far eight authorities in England and five in Wales have notified my Department that they intend to provide this milk in 1978–79 and 11 in England have indicated that they do not.

The response so far is disappointing. Milk is a valuable source of calcium, protein, riboflorin and other vitamins and is important for healthy teeth and bone structure. Authorities will be fully reimbursed for their expenditure in providing free junior milk in the current year and will benefit from the EEC subsidy until at least 1982.