HC Deb 07 December 1932 vol 272 c1606
36. Mr. JOHN

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he will state for March, 1931–32 the number of local education authorities which provided meals under the Education Act, 1921; the number of individual children fed; the total number of meals provided for payment and free, respectively; and the average cost. per meal?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)

As the answer includes a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Education Act, 1921: Sections 82–34.
Year ended 31st. March, 1932.
Number of local education authorities which provided meals 157
Number of individual children fed 319,715
Number of *meals provided for payment 12,367,213
Number of *meals provided free 35,490,997
Average total cost per meal (1930–31)† 2.45d.
Average cost per *meal for food only (1930–31)† 1.75d.
*"Meal "includes" milk meal."
†These figures are not yet available for the year 1931–32.