§ MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education if he will state how many education authorities have already put into operation the Education (Provision of Meals) Act.
(Answered by Mr. Lough.) Except in cases where it is desired to spend money from the rates upon the purchase of food, local authorities are not required by the Act to inform the Board of Education of their proceedings under it, and I have, therefore, no complete information as to the authorities who have in one way or another taken advantage of its provisions. Twenty-nine local education authorities in England and five in Wales have been authorised by the Board under Section 3 of the Act to spend money out of the rates upon the purchase of food.