HC Deb 11 November 1937 vol 328 cc1842-3
69. Mr. Leonard

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will have an inquiry made into what is known as the Oslo breakfast which has had such beneficial results on the well-being of school children in Oslo, with a view to similar action being considered by educational authorities in this country?

Mr. Lindsay

The Board have full information as to the Oslo breakfast, and the claims made for it have recently been considered by the Advisory Committee on Nutrition, appointed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. While the value of the experiment is fully recognised, its adoption in this country would be open to certain practical objections, and it is doubtful whether this type of meal would satisfy English tastes. There are other equally good and convenient methods of supplementing the home diets of children who are found to be in need of additional nourishment.

Mr. Leonard

In view of the fact that the Oslo breakfast is given to rich and poor alike and is responsible for reducing the mortality rate from 46 to 30 in five years, which figure compares with 98 in Glasgow, does the Minister not consider it is high time that a similar experiment were made in this country?

Mr. Lindsay

I would point out to the hon. Member that while the Oslo breakfast is given to some 35 per cent. of the children in certain towns in Norway, there are school meals in this country given in the middle of the day, to a much larger number of children. It is not quite a fair comparison.

Mr. Leonard

Are the results comparable with those of the Oslo breakfast?

Mr. Lindsay

Yes, I think that the result of several million school meals, and milk, given in this country, is a marked improvement in the physique of the children.

Mr. Davidson

Is it not a fact that these school meals are given to children to-day in this country only after they have been medically defined as suffering from malnutrition?

Mr. Lindsay

That is not true.

Mr. Davidson

Oh, yes it is. Ask the Scottish Secretary.