§ 37. Mr. Gallacherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that, until recently, the Fife education authorities provided free omnibus transit in the dinner hour for school children from the school in Kelty to their homes in Kingseat and that, as a result of the withdrawal of these facilities, the majority of the children now have to make their lunch off sandwiches eaten in the street; and whether, in view of the probable ill-effects on the health of the children, he will arrange for the re-institution of free lunch-hour travel facilities?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Elliot)The children referred to were able from 1932 to 1934 to take advantage of a mid-day service of omnibuses with the season tickets provided by the education authority; but the authority have-provided since 1934 by arrangement with the omnibus company for the issue of tickets available only in the morning and the afternoon. These arrangements are in accordance with the general practice of the education authority. I am informed that there is a room available in Kelty Public School, with facilities for heating food. I understand that the authority are at present directing the 1679 attention of the local school management committee to the matter.
§ Mr. GallacherIs the Minister aware that a room allocated for cooking is not a suitable place for a large number of children, and in view of the fact that children used to be able to get home for their meals will he use his best offices to see that that practice is continued.
§ Mr. ElliotI understand that the authority are drawing the attention of the local school managers to the matter.