§ 61. Mr. de Rothschildasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that, under the milk-in-schools scheme as now operated by the Milk Marketing Board, certain education authorities find themselves unable to supply milk to some schools in outlying districts owing to the cost of delivery and are being forced to consider the supply of substitutes such as dried milk; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he is satisfied that the scheme is being operated in accordance with the intentions of the Government and Parliament?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education (Mr. Kenneth Lindsay)The supply of milk for purchase by children under the milk-in-schools scheme is not undertaken directly 1606 by local education authorities, but the Board are aware that in certain outlying districts difficulties are being experienced in obtaining a supply of liquid milk, and my Noble Friend is in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and with the Milk Marketing Board as to what steps are practicable to remove these diffculties. I may, however, refer the hon. Member to my reply of 18th November last to the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart), which showed that the number of public elementary school children in 41 county areas taking milk under the milk-in-schools scheme was nearly 35,000 greater on 1st October, 1937, than on 1st October, 1936.
§ Mr. de RothschildWhile thanking the hon. Member for his reply, is it not a fact that a large number of children are now taking powdered milk, and that in this case it is immaterial whether there are 30,000 more getting pure milk, since I asked the question on behalf of those children who get only powdered milk?
§ Mr. LindsayI agree. I did say that my Noble Friend is in direct consultation now with the Ministry of Agriculture on that very question.