§ 37. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many authorities in England and Wales are not yet supplying milk in schools, and which are they?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Ramsbotham)According to the latest information in the possession of the Board 130 local education authorities 382 out of 316 in England and Wales do not themselves at present make provision for the supply of milk to children in public elementary schools under Sections 82–84 of the Education Act, 1921. Twenty-one of these authorities have submitted proposals for the provision of milk which have either been approved or are under consideration. In addition to the supply of milk under those Sections, voluntary schemes for the provision of milk on payment are in operation in some of the schools in nearly all areas, but I am afraid that it is not at the moment possible to say definitely in which areas, if any, no milk is being supplied in the schools. I am having the matter examined and I am asking for returns from the schools showing the position at the end of March.
§ Mr. DAVIESWill the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the policy of the Board to see that all children in all schools are supplied with milk, and, if that be so, is it possible for the Board to take the initiative and see that that policy is implemented; is it also possible for the hon. Gentleman to find out whether the voluntary organisations are adequate for supplying milk in schools?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMIn Circular 1437 issued by the Board last September local authorities were specifically asked to encourage milk schemes. As regards voluntary organisations, there has been an immense increase. A year ago about 900,000 children were getting milk under voluntary schemes, and to-day the figure is well over 2,000,000, and I hope it will approach 3,000,000.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs it not a fact that many school children are prevented from getting milk because of the Medical Officers of Health and their fads about pasteurisation?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the hon. Gentleman pay particular attention to rural areas where children are not securing milk largely because the milk is being transferred from their areas to industrial areas?
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMI will look into that.
§ Major COLFOXIs not one of the chief reasons why children in rural areas are not able to get milk that the medical officers insist on pasteurised milk, which is not available in rural districts?
Viscountess ASTORWill the hon. Gentleman advertise what a wonderful thing the Government have done in bringing milk to thousands of children throughout the country?