HC Deb 05 July 1937 vol 326 cc27-8
51. Mr. Ridley

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many borough councils, county borough councils, and county councils, respectively, supplied free solid meals to school children in 1936?

Mr. Lindsay

During the year which ended on 31st March, 1937, free solid meals were provided for school children in England and Wales by nine county councils, 68 county borough councils, 49 borough councils and 15 urban district councils.

Mr. Ridley

Will the Parliamentary Secretary be good enough to consider the considerable disparity between the county borough figures and the county council figures, and do what he can to bring the county council policy into line with the county borough policy in this matter?

Mr. Lindsay

I think the hon. Gentleman knows that there is difficulty in the scattered rural areas in dealing with this problem, but I am having a look at it.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not the small number of free school meals supplied due to the policy of the Government?

Mr. Lindsay

It has nothing whatever to do with the policy of the Government.