HC Deb 20 March 1941 vol 370 cc281-2
40. Mr. Adams

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will ask one or two large education authorities to provide school meals on Oslo breakfast lines; and whether he has any information from experiments as to the value of this diet in turning existing food shortages to a positive advantage?

Mr. Ramsbotham

The attention of local education authorities has been drawn, in Circular 1520, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, to the possibility of providing meals on the lines of the Oslo breakfast, particularly where cooking facilities are not available. Several authorities have done so, or have provided lunches or snacks of this type for undernourished children. I am advised, however, that meals of this type are not less affected by existing food shortages than normal meals.

Mr. Adams

Does the Minister agree that if the principle of the Oslo breakfast were applied generally to school meals, considerable economies would be affected?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I doubt whether that would be the case.

Mr. R. Gibson

Has that circular been sent to schools in Scotland?

Mr. Ramsbotham

I do not know about Scotland.