§ 34. Mr. JAMES DUNCANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what difficulties have arisen in the administration of the milk-in-schools scheme; and if they have been satisfactorily settled?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)The initial stages of the scheme, as was perhaps inevitable considering its magnitude, have given rise to a number of questions. The details, however, are technical and somewhat involved and could not be dealt with adequately within the limits of question and answer. If my hon. Friend desires information on any particular point and will put down a question, I shall be happy to do my best to answer him. With regard to the second part of the question, it is hoped that any difficulties presented will be satisfactorily adjusted at an early date.
§ 35. Mr. DUNCANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many children in London are now having a daily glass of milk as a result of the new milk-in-schools scheme; and what is the total number of children in London having milk in the schools
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMMy Noble Friend understands that as the result of a special inquiry made by the Local Education Authority for Landon shortly after the scheme came into force, it was found that about 364,000 children in their area were then receiving milk under voluntary schemes, and about 26,900 children through the Local Education Authority's arrangements under the Education Act, a total of 390,900. Prior to the introduction of the scheme the corresponding figures were approximately 100,000 children and 25,000 children, a total of 125,000 children.
§ Mr. DUNCANDoes my hon. Friend anticipate that as the months go by there wilt be a progressive increase in the number of children who drink milk?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI hope so.
Mr. WESTCan the hon. Gentleman tell the house what proportion of children are now taking this milk daily?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThe average attendance in the public elementary schools of London during the year 1932–33 was about 508,000 and therefore I should say that about 75 per cent. of the children are now taking milk.
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the price charged to the children receiving the milk in the schools is the same all over the country, or can the local councils exercise discretion in the matter?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI think that it is part of the scheme that it should be the same all over the country.
§ 36. Mr. DUNCANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will make a statement regarding the success of the milk-in-schools scheme?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMMy Noble Friend is afraid that for the next few weeks, and until the Milk Marketing Board's returns for October have been analysed, it will not be possible to make any detailed statement as to the success of the scheme. There is no doubt, however, that it has met with a very encouraging reception and that there has been a very great increase in the amount of milk consumed by the children in school.
Mr. WESTCan the hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to the 1514 effect of the milk scheme on the health of the children?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI hope to get that information later on.