53. Major Whiteleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what percentage of county education authorities in England normally provide canteens in their senior elementary 1328 schools in rural areas; and what is the average weekly charge per child in the elementary school canteens?
Mr. LindsayThe latest returns available, obtained in the summer of 1936, showed that 34 county local education authorities were then providing canteens. Of the 14 other county authorities, many at that time had no rural senior schools. As reorganisation has progressed the importance of providing canteens for school children who cannot return home at midday has become generally recognised, and it may be assumed that canteens will form a normal part of senior school provision for such children wherever necessary. It is, of course, the Board's policy to press for such provision to be made. As I stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Hemsworth (Mr. G. Griffiths) on 18th November last, the weekly charge is usually from 1s. to 1s. 6d. for five meals.