HC Deb 04 April 1939 vol 345 cc2610-1
33. Mr. Leonard (for Mr. Mathers)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland which Scottish education authorities provide free meals to school children, also those which provide free milk; and whether any of the authorities have introduced more lenient income scales to allow more children to participate?

Mr. Colville

As the answer is long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Free meals are supplied to necessitous school children by the following education authorities:

Angus, Ayr, Berwick, Bute, Dumfries, Dunbarton, East Lothian, Fife, Lanark, Midlothian, Perth and Kinross, Renfrew, Ross and Cromarty, Stirling, Sutherland, West Lothian, Wigtown, Zetland, Aberdeen (Burgh), Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow.

Free milk is provided for necessitous school children by the following education authorities:

Angus, Argyll, Ayr, Berwick, Dumfries, Dunbarton, East Lothian, Fife, Inverness, Kirkcudbright, Lanark, Midlothian, Perth and Kinross, Renfrew, Ross and Cromarty, Selkirk, Sutherland, West Lothian, Wigtown, Zetland, Aberdeen (Burgh), Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow.

Four authorities have introduced more lenient income scales.

In addition to the provision made by education authorities, free meals and free milk are supplied in some areas, including areas where no provision is made by

Year. Number of children who received Net cost to education authorities.
Free meals. Free milk. Free meals. Free milk.
£ £
1933 … … … 26,220 — 19,458 —
1938 … … … 33,763 64,434 30,446 22,024
Notes.
(1) In 1933, there were no special schemes for the provision of milk in operation: where milk was provided, it was classified under the heading of meals.
(2) The number of children who received free meals or milk includes children who were provided for by voluntary agencies.
(3) The net cost to education authorities represents the cost to the authorities after deducting receipts from parents, etc.: it does not include expenditure on apparatus, equipment and service which education authorities may incur without regard to consideration of the necessity of the pupils.