HC Deb 22 May 1947 vol 437 c2501
8. Colonel Wheatley

asked the Minister of Education the number of free meals and quantity of free milk taken by schoolchildren in an average week.

Mr. Tomlinson

According to the return made for a normal school day in October, 1946, the number of pupils receiving free school meals in maintained schools on grounds of financial hardship was 338,450. The number of pupils in maintained schools receiving one-third of a pint of milk, which was free of charge for all pupils, was, on the same clay, 4,369,000.

Colonel Wheatley

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the system of providing and distributing milk is the best that can be devised to save waste?

Mr. Tomlinson

It is the best we have found up to now, but I would hesitate to say that it is the best that can be devised.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

If the milk is not drunk in the schools, what happens to it?

Mr. Tomlinson

I would not like to say. I have not any idea what happens to it, except that it is not taken home.