asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance for what purpose applicants for welfare milk and vitamin tokens are required to give their maiden names and the age of their husbands when completing Form F.W.6.

By way of a check on identity and to avoid duplication; applications for welfare milk and vitamins used to be linked up with a person's ration book and necessitated registration with a particular retailer. These formalities have been abolished and, in their place, the applicant is simply asked to give enough information to trace her National Insurance number or, failing that, her husband's number.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, to a great many people, this is an imposition and an intrusion into their personal affairs which has really no relevance whatever to the purpose for which the information is being sought?

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that, as a result of representations from different quarters, I have had this form simplified and some of the questions struck out.

In view of the fact that an unmarried mother will be entitled to welfare milk and vitamins, can the Minister say whether he has had the request for the woman's single name struck out?

Yes.