§ 16. Miss RATHBONEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the average cost of every special medical inspection, and also of every routine inspection of a school child?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMMy Noble Friend regrets that in the returns supplied to the board the salaries of school medical officers are not apportioned between the various forms of medical inspection and their other duties, and that, therefore, it is not possible to give the information asked for.
§ Miss RATHBONEIs not a cost for inspection of 7s. per child a large expenditure for the purpose of determining whether a child shall receive 2½d. worth of milk?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMThere may be a slight increase in the cost, but I hope the hon. Lady and her friends will not grudge a small increase of expenditure in view of the importance of the subject.
§ Mr. TINKERHow is it that the Parliamentary Secretary always says that his Noble Friend has given him orders. Are we to be always subject to his Noble Friend?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI understand that that is the usual way when answers are given by an Under-Secretary.
§ Mr. PALINGAs the cost of medical inspection is so high, would it not be better to spend the money in giving milk to the children?