§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report figures showing the uptake of welfare foods for infants in the Brent and Harrow area health authority's services.
§ Dr. VaughanI regret that the information is not available.
§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list (a) the numbers eligible and (b) the numbers claiming free welfare foods for each year since 1960: and if he will present the numbers claiming as a percentage of those eligible.
§ Dr. VaughanEstimates of the numbers eligible for free welfare foods are not available before 1971. Details of take-up only, where available, for the years since 1960 and details of take-up compared with the estimated number eligible from 1971–1976 are given below. The estimates of those entitled to and those receiving tokens for free welfare foods relate to Great Britain.
1. Those eligible for free welfare foods on low income grounds.
208W
Year (a) Estimated number eligible (b) Number of beneficiaries on low income grounds including those receiving supplementary benefit and FIS (c) Take-up—(c) as a percentage of (b) (d) (thousands) (thousands) 1960 N/A N/A N/A 1961 N/A 123 N/A 1962 N/A 175 N/A 1963 N/A 175 N/A 1964 N/A 146 N/A 1965 N/A 145 N/A 1966 N/A N/A N/A 1967 N/A 219 N/A 1968 N/A 225 N/A 1969 N/A 232 N/A 1970 N/A 237 N/A
1971 800 441 55 1972 580 404 69 1973 530 329 63 1974 430 318 74 1975 740 365 49 1976 1,890 388 20 Notes:
(i) The Family income supplement category was first introduced in 1971.
(ii) Column (b)—Estimate of those eligible but not in receipt of the benefit. Source: DHSS analysis of family expenditure survey data, subject to sampling error.
(iii) Column (c)—Source: for those entitled to FIS, 100 per cent. count of milk token issues; for those entitled through supplementary benefit, the supplementary benefit annual statistical enquiry; for those entitled on other low income grounds, a 100 per cent. count of the records of families holding tokens.
2. In addition, free welfare foods are available for certain handicapped children and, since 1968, for expectant mothers and children under school age (except the first two) in large young families, regardless of income. Details of take-up by handicapped children are not available for the years preceding 1968.
BENEFICIARIES IN LARGE YOUNG FAMILIES AND HANDICAPPED CHILDREN Year (a) Estimated number eligible (b) Number of beneficiaries (c) Take-up—(c) as a percentage of (b) (d) (thousands) (thousands) 1968 N/A 200* N/A 1969 N/A 200* N/A 1970 N/A 190* N/A 1971 170 157 92 1972 154 144 93 1973 132 109 82 1974 117 96 82 1975 101 87 86 1976 90 74 82 * These figures are for beneficiaries in large young families only. Figures for handicapped children not available. N/A=Not available. Sources:
(i) Column (b)—An estimate of those entitled on large young family grounds derived from family allowance/child benefit list of families with children under 5 with an adjustment for expectant mothers. The estimate of handicapped children eligible derived from register of handicapped children.
(ii) Column (c)—For those entitled on large young family grounds, a 100 per cent. count; for those entitled as handicapped children a 100 per cent. count of milk token issues.