§ Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that the modified welfare milk scheme is now operating fairly especially on milk retailers who provide doorstep deliveries, and that persons in receipt of milk tokens are not being deprived of such a service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanFollowing the change in the reimbursement system for the supply of liquid welfare milk, officials from the Department and the Department of Social Security have been advising all sectors of the dairy trade on the best means of operating the modified scheme fairly. I understand that many processors and suppliers have agreed and are currently operating cost-sharing arrangements.
Very few beneficiaries have reported that their normal supplier has refused to accept tokens. In those cases where this has occurred the beneficiary can usually find an alternative without difficulty and local social security offices are able to offer advice.