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2.6 Deputy G.P. Southern of the Minister for Economic Development regarding examination of fresh evidence as part of review of decision to withdraw funding for school milk:
Is the Minister undertaking any work to examine any fresh evidence, either on health or economic grounds. as part of a review of the decision of the former Economic Development Committee to withdraw funding for school milk and is he aware of the grounds that lay behind the former Committee's decision?
The Deputy Bailiff :
Now, the Minister is not here. He has 2 Assistant Ministers. Who is volunteering for the task? Deputy Maclean.
Deputy A.J.H. Maclean of St. Helier (Assistant Minister for Economic Development):
We have not had an opportunity to look closer at this yet, however I can assure the Deputy that we will be carefully considering the economic, educational and health grounds surrounding this very important and highly emotive issue. I should add that funding exists for 2006 for school milk.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Is the Assistant Minister aware of any changes which might invalidate the recommendation made by Dr. McQueen that guaranteed continuation of the present level of state support for school milk and welfare milk programmes are important to the dairy industry?
Deputy A.J.H. Maclean:
No, I am not aware of any evidence but I am more than happy to consider any fresh evidence that should come to our attention.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Whilst I accept the assurance that funding will remain for the period of 2006, does he support the previous Committee's decision that it ought to be removed from 2007?
Deputy A.J.H. Maclean:
As I have already stated, Sir, we have not had an opportunity to look closely at this issue as yet so I am unable to add anything further to my previous statement.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Can the Assistant Minister inform Members whether talks have taken place to co-
ordinate any change in treatment for school milk with welfare milk with the Social
Security Minister?
Deputy A.J.H. Maclean:
I have nothing else of any value to add to what I have already made in my statement.
- Deputy G.P. Southern :
Nonetheless, I may ask the question I presume. May I continue? One last supplementary, Sir. One of the problems associated with school milk and welfare milk is the withdrawal of the delivery service by Jersey Dairy. Has his Committee or the previous Committee considered any alternatives to such a delivery system?
Deputy A.J.H. Maclean:
As I have already mentioned to the Deputy we have not had the opportunity as yet to consider this so obviously that point as well has not been considered.
- Deputy F.J. Hill of St. Martin :
May I ask the Assistant Minister has the Ministry any idea when they are going to look at the subject and have they got an answer maybe to give us some time scheduling as to when this very important issue will be discussed?
Deputy A.J.H. Maclean:
I am not aware at the moment, Sir, of an exact date when this issue is going to be considered but we would be delighted to get back to the Deputy in due course when more information is available.