HC Deb 01 July 1936 vol 314 cc402-3
58. Mr. KIRKWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many education authorities in Scotland were providing free meals, other than milk meals, to elementary school children in March, 1934, March, 1935, and March, 1936, and the number of children receiving such meals at these periods?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)

Seventeen of the 35 education authorities in Scotland provided free meals for children attending schools conducted under the Code of Regulations for Day Schools in March, 1934, March, 1935, and March, 1936. The number of children receiving free meals at the respective dates was 18,772, 18,371 and 20,859.

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Seeing that the report of Sir John Orr, who is recognised as an expert on nutrition, which has been submitted to the country generally, states that half the population of the country have not sufficient income to enable them to live a decent healthy life, will the Minister take steps to see that the children receive greater attention in school than they receive at the present time?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

Education authorities are aware of the powers which Parliament has given them in this regard.

The following table shows the approximate quantity and value of cotton piece-goods and beef produced in the United Kingdom in 1924 and 1934:

— Year. Quantity. Value.
Mill. sq. yds. £ Mill.
Cotton piece goods … … … … 1924 (a) 6,026 191.5 (b)
1934 3,462 67.2 (b)
Thous. tons.
Beef and veal (c) … … … … 602 53.0 (d)
1934 674 37.7 (d)
(a) Including some mixed cotton and artificial silk fabrics.
(b) Valued as finished for sale.
(c) Including edible offal, but not production from imported fat cattle.
(d) Valued at England and Wales prices.
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