6. Mr. J. J. Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of school children in Glasgow, medically defined as suffering from malnutrition, receiving free meals at school for the years ending September, 1936, and 1937, respectively?
§ Mr. ElliotThe numbers of children in Glasgow receiving free meals at school in the two years referred to were 8,105 and 8,154, respectively. I am informed that while many of these children are 179 placed on the free meals register as a result of medical inspection, the majority are so placed on the recommendation of the head teacher and class teacher. The statistics available do not enable me to state the numbers in each category.
Mr. DavidsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that for the past three years at least the figures of children in Glasgow suffering from malnutrition have not dropped below 8,000, and will he as Secretary of State for Scotland initiate an inquiry into the question of malnutrition in Glasgow?
§ Mr. ElliotNo, it would be wrong to have a special inquiry into malnutrition in Glasgow. Children who are receiving free meals exist in many other cities and the whole problem must be treated as one.
Mr. DavidsonMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman, then, whether he is prepared to extend the scope of an inquiry so as to embrace malnutrition in Scotland?
§ Mr. ThorneDo I understand that before any children can get free meals they must he medically examined?
§ Mr. ElliotThe point of my answer was that they need not he medically examined.