§ 41. Mr. Jacksonasked the President of the Board of Education what steps he is taking to see that supplies of fresh milk are available for children attending elementary schools; and whether he is satisfied that, in areas where there are a large number of evacuees, additional supplies are obtainable.
§ Mr. RamsbothamMy Department is in close touch with the Ministry of Food, who are taking all possible steps by priority arrangements and otherwise to secure adequate supply of milk to schools. The Ministry have made arrangements for transferring available supplies from one district to another in accordance with local needs, and these arrangements take account equally of the requirements of evacuated and local children.
§ Mr. JacksonIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware of the shortage of milk substitutes and can he arrange that the schools have the first call on them?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI should much prefer fresh milk if it is possible to get it
§ Mr. BevanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been very great delay in providing adequate supplies of milk in many of the evacuated areas, particularly in South Wales, and that often children have gone without milk for weeks on end—a very undesirable state of affairs?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI am aware of that, and we do our utmost to increase supplies.