§ 36 and 37. Mr. HOLLANDasked the President of the Board of Education (1) what progress is being made by local education authorities with regard to the board's recommendations in Circular 1443; the number of such authorities who fix an 594 income scale similar to that governing unemployment benefit; the number of authorities where the scale is less than the present unemployment benefit; and how many nutrition surveys have been conducted and with what result;
(2) how many local education authorities are operating the recommendations contained in the board's Circular 1443, with regard to the provision of food in public elementary schools to children who are in need of such; and in how many instances interim arrangements are in operation for the immediate feeding of children recommended for meals?
Mr. STANLEYThere are 233 local education authorities providing meals under Section 84 of the Education Act, 1921. I have no reason to suppose that local education authorities generally are not carrying out the recommendations of Circular 1443 including the provision of interim arrangements. The method of application of the income scales of local education authorities varies considerably, and it is difficult to make any exact comparison with the scales for unemployment assistance. As regards nutrition surveys, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel) on 6th February, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. HOLLANDMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman feels that certain economies exercised by many local authorities are equivalent to treating the circular with a measure of indifference and will he urge upon them the necessity of dealing with this matter?
Mr. STANLEYI do not think that that is the case. The circular was drafted after consultation with local authorities, and I believe it represents the view of the great majority of them.