DAIRY COUNCIL'S ANNUAL CEREMONY OF THE CHRISTMAS CHEESES

That this House congratulates the Dairy Council on staging the 2006 Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses, which forms the beginning of the Chelsea pensioners' traditional Christmas celebrations; further congratulates Jack Vardy, formerly of the 2nd Battalion the Hampshire Regiment and one of the oldest Chelsea pensioners, who has the honour of cutting the cheese at this historic ceremony; notes that dairy products are a calcium-rich food for people of all ages; further notes that a good calcium intake is especially important for older people in order to minimize bone loss, which is a normal part of the ageing process; welcomes the work of the Royal Hospital in ensuring that dairy products play an important role in the diet of the Chelsea pensioners; and calls on the Department of Health to take steps to promote the consumption of calcium-rich sources of food such as dairy products.