§ 44. Lord Willoughby de Eresbyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board 3289 of Education whether he can give any information as to the progress of the milk in-schools scheme, especially in rural areas?
Mr. LindsayI am glad to say that the latest returns from public elementary schools in England and Wales, giving the position on 31st March, 1938, show an appreciable increase in the number and percentage of children taking milk and in the number of schools operating the scheme. As compared with 1st October, 1937, in spite of a fall of 38,000 in the number of children in the schools, there has been an increase of 74,000 in the number receiving free milk and of 99,000 in the number paying for milk under the scheme, making a total increase of 173,000, for whom 74,000 are in the county areas and 28,000 in the rural distrists of those areas. The number of departments operating the scheme has increased by 538, of which 447 are in county areas, and 94.3 per cent. of the public elementary school children are now in schools which provide milk under the scheme.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas MooreWhat is the physical result of this increased consumption of milk?
§ Mr. KirkwoodAs the hon. Member said there were 38,000 fewer children attending the schools in England, can he say what is the reason for this decline?
§ Mr. MacquistenWhy is it that the children cannot get milk at the same price as the chocolate manufacturers?