§ 16. Sir WILLIAM JENKINSasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will give reasonable discretion to local education authorities to grant free meals or free milk to any child where it is within the definite knowledge of the authority that the economic conditions in the child's home are exceptional?
§ 22. Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Education what is the attitude of the Board to those local education authorities who are giving free meals or milk merely on the ground of poverty where the family income is below a certain minimum?
Mr. STANLEYThe attitude of the Board in the matter has been set out in a letter dated the 14th November, 1934, to the Secretary to the Association of Education Committees, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. In general I should agree that the economic conditions of the home are a factor to which full weight should be given in considering how much importance should be attached to any physical signs or educational symptoms which may be noted by the medical officer or the teacher.
Viscountess ASTORIs it not a fact that over 30 per cent. of the children attending elementary schools are either physically defective or in need of medical observation? Is that not true, and, in view of that fact, will not my right hon. Friend do all he can to bring in a policy to deal with free school milk?
Mr. STANLEYIf the Noble Lady really wants to know what the figures are, perhaps she will put a question down. If she is only giving me information, I am obliged to her.