Written question asked by Lindsay Hoyle (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 January 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Friday, 20 January 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Calcium (Children)

Question: (2) what assessment she has made of the effect of the provision of milk in schools on children's health.

Answer: The Department recognises the nutritional value of milk within the context of a healthy balanced diet, particularly as a good source of calcium in children's diet. Indeed many low income families receive free milk as part of the welfare food scheme.Although there is no statutory requirement for milk to be provided in schools, the Government encourages local education authorities and schools to make milk available for those pupils who want it. The European Union school milk subsidy scheme and the national top-up scheme subsidise the provision of milk to children in those primary and nursery schools wishing to participate. Appropriate Government departments have considered the recommendations from the recent independent report on the national top-up and agreed that the subsidy for school milk should remain unchanged.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 42040; 441 c1658-9W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Children Diets Health Low incomes Nutrition Minerals School milk Calcium
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk