§ SIR W. J. COLLINS (St. Pancras, W.)To ask the President of the Board of Education what number, out of the total number of local education authorities in England and Wales, have taken 373 action under Section 1 of the Education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906, by associating with themselves school canteen committees, or by aiding such committees in furnishing buildings and officers for the service of such meals; how many local education authorities have applied to the Board of Education under Section 3 for authority to expend money out of rates for the provision of food; in how many cases has such application been granted, and in how many refused; and in how many instances during the year 1907 were proceedings instituted against parents for the recovery of the costs of meals under Section 2.
(Answered by Mr. Runciman.) Orders authorising expenditure of money out of the rates upon the provision of food have been issued to fifty local education authorities; and in no case has the sanction of the Board been refused. The Board have no complete or collated information with reference to the remainder of the Question; but a circular to local authorities asking for certain statistics as to the action which has been taken under the Act is under consideration, and will shortly be issued.