HC Deb 25 May 1922 vol 154 cc1405-6
25. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSON

asked the Prime Minister on what grounds the Government have transferred to the local rates an expense of over £30,000 per month to meet the cost of feeding school children clue to continued unemployment, which last year was borne by the National Exchequer?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Sir Robert Horne)

As any right hon. Friend the Leader of the House has already stated, the Government do not agree with the hon. Member's assertion, and I am unable to add to the reply given to his question of the 9th instant.

Mr. THOMSON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that half this charge was borne by the Treasury last year and is now thrown entirely on the local rates, and how are the local authorities going to find the money, seeing that they are already overburdened?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has put that question already.

Mr. THOMSON

I have never had an answer.