§ 20 and 21. Mr. T. KENNEDYasked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether he is aware that during the summer holidays, extending over seven weeks, the Clackmannanshire education authority has decided not to continue the provision of meals for necessitous children on the ground that the authority is under no obligation to provide meals except when the children are actually in attendance at school; whether he proposes to sanction this action on the part of local education authorities; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that meals are provided during the vacation?
(2) whether he is aware that the Ayrshire education authority has decided to suspend its arrangements for the feeding of necessitous school children till after the end of the summer holidays; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have no information at all regarding Clackmannanshire, and such information as has reached me regarding Ayrshire suggests that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the decision reached by that authority. On the general question, however, I may remind him of the legal position as stated in Circular 67, issued under the instructions of my predecessor in office. Education authorities in Scotland have no general powers of feeding, but they have a duty to deal with particular cases, and provided that the circumstances of a case come within the provisions of the Statute this duty would not appear to be affected by holidays. It is only if and when there is reason to believe that any Authority is neglecting that duty, that it will be open to me to consider what action can appropriately be taken.