§ 39. Mr. HARDIEasked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that the Glasgow education authority, in reply to a deputation, intimated that, so far as the feeding and clothing of necessitous school children are concerned, the authority had gone as far as the law permitted; and will he take the steps necessary to ensure that no child attending school shall suffer from hunger?
§ Mr. F. C. THOMSON (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply to this question. My Noble Friend has been informed of the intimation referred to through a letter from the secretary of the deputation. As my hon. Friend is aware, the education authority is not the only body with powers in this matter, and my Noble Friend is satisfied that the appropriate authorities are co-operating to ensure that the children shall receive adequate nourishment.
§ Mr. HARDIEHow is it possible for those responsible for the state of the children arriving at school hungry to stand up and say there is another authority? If there is another authority, please say what it is.
§ Mr. THOMSONI think the hon. Member was informed last week that the Secretary for Scotland is considering legislation and hopes to make an announcement at an early date.
§ Mr. HARDIEThe 1908 Act distinctly states that where a child comes to school and is suffering from hunger and unable to assimilate the education given, provision must be made.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the trouble has been caused by the issue of circular 151, and what is the attitude of the Government on the question of withdrawing that circular and allowing the education authorities to feed as they did previously?
§ Mr. THOMSONI have already informed the hon. Member that my Noble 706 Friend is considering the question of legislation and hopes to make an announcement at an early date.
§ Mr. HARDIEThe children are starving.