§ 29. Mr. JOWETTasked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Doncaster Education Committee has declined in one case to provide meals under the Education (Provision of Meals) Acts for school children living in a home where the total income was at the time 21s. a week, out of which weekly sum rent, maintenance, insurance, unpaid doctor's bills, and household expenses for eight persons had to be met; in another case, where the total income available for all purposes for five persons was 7s. 7d.; and in another case, where the total income available for all purposes was 21s. for a family of eight persons; and whether he will take steps to bring the Doncaster Education Committee to a proper sense of their responsibility to the children in their care?
Mr. PEASEI understand that the three cases mentioned came before the local authority in November last, and were referred to the local committee for the prevention and relief of distress, who investigated them and gave relief. In two of the cases I am informed that the mother did not wish the children to receive school meals. The authority have made arrangements for using their powers under the Provision of Meals Acts should necessity arise. I have no power to require an authority to provide meals or children or for any particular children.