28.
asked the Minister of Health whether he will consult with the 'Departments concerned with a view to arranging for the priority milk scheme to be operated by the local authorities in conjunction with the distribution of welfare foods.
No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is informed by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food, that the machinery of the welfare milk scheme makes it unsuitable for operation by local authorities.
Is my hon. Friend aware that the closure of the food offices has resulted in pregnant mothers having to go long distances for registration for priority milk? Would it not be more convenient if this registration were done in the local authorities' clinics where the welfare foods are being issued?
This is a most difficult and complicated scheme in respect of milk, particularly as the dairymen distribute direct to the consumer, the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance issue the documents, and the Milk Marketing Board recoups the dairyman the difference in price and reclaims from the Ministry of Food. It is by no means certain that the existing powers of local authorities would be adequate to allow them to take over this particular work.