HC Deb 15 July 1948 vol 453 cc1383-4
18. Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Education if he will take steps to make school meals free, from the Autumn term.

Mr. Tomlinson

No, Sir. We still have a long way to go in extending the facilities for school dinners before they can be made free. I cannot estimate how long it will take to complete this programme.

Mr. Lipson

But in view of the fact that there is much variation in the scales up and down the country, will not the Minister at least consult the Association of Education Committees to see whether a standard scale throughout the country can be suggested to local education authorities?

Mr. Tomlinson

I will go into that matter.

Mr. Chetwynd

Can my right hon. Friend say what proportion he hopes to reach before making this much desired reform?

Mr. Tomlinson

No, but it has been suggested that we should get to 75 per cent.

Mr. Rankin

Does my right hon. Friend mean us to understand that he proposes to continue to apply the means test in the meals service in spite of the fact that all our social legislation is directed towards its abolition?

Mr. Tomlinson

No, I am not giving any indication of that kind.

Mr. Granville Sharp

The Minister states that he hopes to reach 75 per cent. of the places before he introduces free meals; can he say what percentage he has reached at the present time?

Mr. Tomlinson

Fifty-two point five per cent.