§ 31. Mr. T. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give a list of education committees in Scotland who allow discretionary powers to headmasters to authorise the provision of school meals to necessitous children pending examination by a school medical officer; and whether the authorities have been instructed to insist upon production of a medical certificate proving under-nutrition before food is supplied?
§ Mr. ElliotI am informed that discretionary power to authorise the provision of school meals to necessitous children pending further investigation is allowed to head teachers of schools in the following areas: Ayr, Dumfries, Fife, Wig-town, and Zetland. In the following areas the provision of school meals pending investigation is authorised by the authority on receipt of a report from the head teacher: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, East Lothian, and Sutherland. No instructions of the kind indicated in the second part of the question have been issued by the Scottish Education Department.
§ Mr. JohnstonIn view of the desirability of having uniformity in this matter, would not the Secretary of State consider the issue of a request to the local authorities to stop a practice whereby poor children may starve for long periods in certain areas?
§ Mr. ElliotI do not think that any authority which was doing its duty would allow any such thing to take place, but I certainly will look into the matter if 1840 the right hon. Gentleman desires me to do so.
§ Mr. JohnstonIs it not the case that I have already supplied the right hon. Gentleman's officials with instances; and could he not undertake to examine the proposition in my supplementary question?
§ Mr. ElliotI have already undertaken to look into the matter. I do not think it would be correct to say that any children are being allowed to starve for long periods.