§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many children in Scotland aged under five years are receiving free welfare milk in day care facilities; how many are cared for by registered childminders; and how many childminders are involved.
§ Mr. John MacKayAll children under five years of age attending approved day care facilities, including those in the care of registered childminders, are entitled to receive free welfare milk. The entitlement is one third of a pint each day, but it is not possible to say what proportion of the children take advantage of this daily. Examination of claims for the month of June 1984 shows that over 580,000 issues of one third of a pint of milk were paid for by my Department in respect of such children.
There are currently 449 registered childminders approved for the care of 899 children under the terms of Welfare Food Order 1980 as amended, who have at various times made claims for reimbursement in respect of milk supplied free to children under five in their care. Of these, 201 childminders made such claims for the year ending 31 December 1983.