§ 36. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the President of the Board of Education how many children are now receiving school dinners; and what percentage are receiving them without cost to their parents?
§ Mr. ButlerI have no official returns later than a date in October last. These show that 896,236 children in grant-aided schools in England and Wales were receiving school dinners. My hon. Friend will readily understand that the figures have been mounting steadily during recent months. Of the public elementary school children receiving dinners in October 15 per cent. received them free. The figures do not distinguish between meals provided free and for payment in secondary and technical schools.