HC Deb 27 March 2003 vol 402 cc316-7W
David Burnside

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely impact on national milk production of the proposed removal of the daily 1 pint milk token for low income families with children under five. [102431]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 11 March 2003]The milk tokens represent some 130 million litres of milk per year, or 1 per cent. of the total production of milk in Great Britain. It is difficult to assess to what extent milk consumption might fall as a result of the proposals, as milk would still be available under the fixed value voucher system proposed by the Department of Health, albeit along with other foods.

The dairy industry has expressed concern that the removal of the milk token system would have an adverse effect on milk rounds, given that milk delivered under the Welfare Food Scheme represents about 5 per cent. of all doorstep deliveries. The Department of Health has conducted a major consultation exercise on its proposals, the results of which have now been published.

The reforms were proposed following medical advice that mothers and children required access to a broader range of foods than had been available under the scheme.