asked the Minister of Health what stocks of orange juice, cod liver oil and vitamin tablets were held in England and Wales at the end of 1961.

I will, with permission, circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health what proposals he has to eliminate stocks of cod liver oil, orange juice and vitamin tablets in England and Wales.

Stocks will be disposed of to beneficiaries in the normal way.

Cannot my hon. Friend run down some of these very large stocks which are held in the country? Surely it is a little unnecessary to keep these welfare foods in this modern age? Are they not a relic of the past and should they not be buried once and for all?

Welfare foods are still available to those mothers who wish to make use of them. In fact, the existing stocks of bottled orange juice, cod liver oil and vitamin tablets will be used up in the months ahead. The disposal of the bulk orange juice will take a little longer.

Is the hon. Lady aware that many hon. Members would like to take exactly the opposite course to that proposed by the hon. and gallant Member for The Hartlepools (Commander Kerans)? Will the hon. Lady consider this suggestion? In addition to young children getting these welfare foods, could not old-age pensioners who need them badly also be considered in this connection?

I will consider that suggestion, but some of these things are really out of context. They are, in fact, for expectant mothers.