asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if she will delegate powers to local authorities to enable clinics to sell proprietary baby foods where conditions warrant such facilities; (2) if she will make a progress report on the compilation of regulations to govern the distribution of baby foods in maternity hospitals.

As my predecessor promised during the Adjournment debate on this subject on 29th January, the questions raised by my hon. Friend are being examined sympathetically. I regret that no conclusions have yet been reached, but I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.—[Vol. 885, c. 582–8.].