§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to make free surplus EEC food available to all pensioners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythUnder EC regulations the surplus food may be distributed only to the most needy in the Community. The Government have therefore made the food available to those persons in receipt of income support or family credit or those who are homeless and destitute or living in welfare hostels. There is only a fixed amount of food available under the scheme; if all pensioners were eligible to receive it, the amount provided to each individual would be small and the distribution costs high.