§ 38. Mr. Ridleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education how many borough councils, county borough councils, and county councils, respectively, are supplying free solid meals to school children?
Mr. LindsayIn January, 1939, the latest period for which figures are available, 17 county councils, 69 county borough councils, 50 borough councils and 13 urban district councils in England and Wales supplied free solid meals to children attending public elementary schools in their areas. The Board are surveying the provision in each area and making representation to local education authorities wherever necessary.
§ Mr. RidleyMay we take it from the hon. Gentleman's reply that, in the case of those local authorities who make no free provision, special pressure will be applied?
§ 39. Mr. Ridleyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of children who are attending elementary schools under the authority of the Derbyshire County Council; and the number who are in receipt of free milk and free solid meals, respectively?
Mr. LindsayThe number of children attending public elementary schools under the authority of the Derbyshire County Council on 1st October, 1938, was 64,171. In January, 1939, 6,319 children received free milk and 69 children free solid meals. The hon. Member will be glad to know that, although the child population has decreased in the last year by about 1,600, 582 the numbers drinking free milk have increased by 814, in addition to the new provision of solid meals.
§ Mr. RidleyDoes the hon. Gentleman really think I can find any satisfaction in the fact that, of this enormous mining population, only 64 children received free solid meals?
Mr. LindsayI thought the hon. Member would like to know that something had happened since his last representation.
§ 41. Miss Wilkinsonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what are the exact terms of the regulations under which education committees who are willing to make arrangements for the delivery of free milk to those children who have been selected to receive it at school, but who are absent through illness, are empowered to do so?
Mr. LindsayThe revised arrangements for the milk-in-schools scheme, which came into operation on 1st March, contain the following clause:
When absent from the School, Centre or place of instruction through illness or when prevented by illness from attending a place approved for the distribution of milk during holidays or week-ends, a pupil may continue to receive milk under the Scheme if arrangements are made by or on behalf of the parents or guardians for the milk to be taken to the home of the pupil from the School, Centre or place of instruction, or from the approved place of distribution during holidays or week-ends.This concession applies equally to milk provided free by the local education authorities and to milk which is paid for by the parents of the children. A memorandum enclosing a copy of the revised scheme will be issued to local education authorities shortly.
§ Miss WilkinsonDo I understand that the local authority is not empowered to deliver milk, but that the concession is given only if the parents can make arangements to collect it?
Mr. LindsayThat is so, but this does not necessarily mean that the parents must go to the school in person. They may arrange for the milk to be brought home by a brother or sister of the sick child, or by some other person.
§ Miss WilkinsonThis is a matter which has remained vague, and which is troubling many local authorities, because 583 where a woman has a sick child at home it is sometimes impossible to send to the school for milk. Do I understand that in such circumstances a local authority is empowered to deliver that milk?