HC Deb 29 November 1948 vol 458 cc1623-4
39. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Food how many requests he has received for permission to operate mobile canteens in rural areas to provide cooked dinners for infirm elderly people; and if he will ask his food executive officers to consult local education authorities with a view to extending the school meals service for this purpose.

Mr. Strachey

I am afraid we could only give the information asked for in the first part of the Question by making inquiries of every food office in the country. It is impracticable to use the school meals service to provide meals for old or infirm people, but we will gladly allow food to local authorities, or voluntary organisations, such as Women's Institutes or the W.V.S., for this purpose.