§ 13. Mr. TINKERasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Association of Education Committees calling upon the Government to introduce legislation to enable local education authorities, if they so desire, to provide mid-day meals for necessitous unemployed juveniles attending approved full-time courses of instruction, and empowering the Ministry of Labour to bear the whole or part of the cost of providing such meals; and what reply does he intend to give?
§ Mr. E. BROWNI am not satisfied that a case has been made out for introducing the legislation which would be necessary to enable local education authorities to provide meals at junior instruction centres, but I can assure the hon. Member that the position is being, and will continue to be, carefully watched.
§ Mr. TINKERWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries in the various localities and ask the authorities to send him cases in which it is felt that it is necessary that something should be done?
§ Mr. BROWNThat has been done. If the hon. Member will consider the report of the National Advisory Council for 1986 Juvenile Employment in England and Wales, which is composed of representatives of the Associations of Education Authorities, the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations, the Trades Union Congress General Council, the teachers' organisations, and the juvenile advisory committees, he will find that that report, dated the 20th January, 1934, unanimously recommended against this course.
§ Mr. TINKERI beg to give notice that, as I am not satisfied with the reply, I shall call attention to this matter at the earliest opportunity.