§ 1. Mr. PALINGasked the Minister of Labour whether it is now the intention to provide meals to young persons in attendance at the juvenile instructional centres established under the Unemployment Act, 1934?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of LABOUR (Mr. R. S. Hudson)I am advised that local education authorities have no power to provide meals for unemployed boys and girls attending junior instruction centres 1300 established under the Unemployment Insurance Act, 1934. Arrangements have, however, been made under which milk may be supplied at a low price as in elementary schools and in England and Wales milk may be supplied free in certain circumstances which are detailed in a circular of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
§ Mr. PALINGIs it not a fact that the commissioners' reports on the depressed areas did make suggestions that meals should be provided at some of these centres, and in one case did they not make a definite recommendation to that effect? Is the Minister going to do anything?
§ Mr. HUDSONMy recollection is that those reports were written before the new scheme for providing cheap milk in schools had been announced. We are extending to adolescents attending these junior centres the same privileges as are given to children attending elementary schools. That, we think, will go a long way to meet the needs.