§ 36. Mr. Lipsonasked the President of the Board of Education how long it will take, at the present rate of progress, for provision of school dinners to be made for all schoolchildren.
§ Mr. ButlerThe scheme covering 75 per cent. of the children, which is about the proportion thought likely to wish to have dinner at school, was expected to be completed in rather more than three years from now; but I have good reason to hope that, as a result of various measures taken by this Department, this period will be considerably reduced.
§ Mr. LipsonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the steps he has taken will give considerable satisfaction?
§ Sir H. WilliamsBut is my right hon. Friend aware that some mothers, curiously enough, desire to have their children at home for the mid-day meal?
§ Mr. ButlerWe make full allowance for that in all our arrangements, but we wish to see the dinners-in-school service used as widely as possible.
§ Captain PluggeWill my right hon. Friend give full consideration to the provision of adequate domestic help for this purpose and not throw all the work involved on the teaching staff?
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenDoes the right hon. Gentleman collect information from certain authorities which are more successful in this matter than others, and does he advise others as to the methods by which those authorities are able to make the scheme a success?
§ Mr. ButlerYes, we try to spread the good news; and, as a result, we have increased the service of meals from 300,000 three years ago to 1,500,000 now.