HC Deb 16 June 1936 vol 313 cc794-6
37. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that over 2,000 crans of herring were thrown back into the sea at Lerwick on 6th June and 300 crans thrown back into the sea at Peterhead on the same day; whether he has read the complaints made by school teachers in Highland schools at the Educational Institute Conference in Edinburgh on the same day, that they had to beg supplies of food and provide meals out of their own pockets to feed the school children in some of the Highland areas; and what steps he proposes to take to stop the destruction of food while children are in need of it and arrange for better organisation of the distribution of the food supplies?

Sir G. COLLINS

I learned with regret of the two cases of dumping referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the second part of the question, there appears to be some misunderstanding because the provision of food for necessitous school children where not provided by voluntary agency is a duty on the education authority and the cost is not met by the teachers themselves, As regards the third part of the question, I would refer to the answers given to similar questions by the hon Member for Central Bradford (Mr. Leach) of 25th May, and the right hon. Member for West Stirling (Mr. Johnston) on 26th May.

Mr. MACLEAN

Has not the right hon. Gentleman read the statement made at this conference of school teachers, and what steps is he taking to see that the education authorities in the Highland counties mentioned at that conference are doing their duty?

Sir G. COLLINS

I have seen the statements that certain teachers in Highland schools had to provide meals for the children out of their own pockets, and also that they had to raise the money for the purpose by means of dances and in other ways. If there is any complaint of bad administration in any of these cases, I will look into it.

Mr. MACLEAN

Has the right hon. Gentleman not read the phrase which was in one of the speeches delivered at the conference to the effect that the teachers had to put their hands in their pockets to provide these meals; and does not that show it was the teachers themselves who were providing money for that purpose?

Sir G. COLLINS

I read that phrase in the newspaper account, but it is quite unnecessary for the teachers to do this unless they so desire.

Mr. MACLEAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the county councils do it?