HC Deb 27 November 2003 vol 415 cc365-6W
18. Paddy Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Welfare Food Scheme. [142560]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The current Welfare Food Scheme has served many families well since 1940, but no longer meets their nutritional needs. We have therefore taken powers in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards Act) 2003 enabling reform. We will shortly publish a response to our autumn 2002 consultation on reform, and will consult on draft regulations in 2004.