§ 67. Mr. George Thomasasked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of children in Wales who receive free milk in schools and the number who partake of school meals; and the comparable numbers for 1939.
§ Mr. TomlinsonIn October, 1948, the number of pupils in grant-aided schools in Wales taking school milk, which is now free of charge, was 310,594 and the number taking dinner was 203,541. In 1939 the number getting free milk was 73,786 and the number taking dinner was 15,978.
§ 68. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education if he will state the number of extra places provided in schools in Wales since 1945; the number of canteens that have been provided at these schools during the same period; and the cost which has been incurred in both items.
§ Mr. TomlinsonBetween 1st April, 1945, and 31st December, 1948, approximately 6,200 additional places were provided in maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools in Wales at a total cost of about £357,500. These figures relate to places provided under the H.O.R.S.A. scheme and by the completion of permanent building projects costing more than £5,000. In addition, it is estimated that about 4,000 places have been provided by the completion of small building projects approved between 1st April, 1945, and 31st January, 1949. I regret that the total estimated cost of these minor projects is not available.
The number of canteens increased by 427 from 1,630 to 2,057, between October, 1945 and October, 1948. These were provided partly by local education authorities and partly by the Ministry of Works as an agency service. The expenditure of Welsh local education authorities on establishing school canteens from 1st April, 1945, to 31st March, 1948, was £217,459. I regret that comparable figures for expenditure by the Ministry of Works are not available.
§ Mr. ThomasWhilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that record of extraordinary achievement in the Principality 2013 during the past few years, may I have his assurance that he expects to fulfil his programme for 1949?
§ Mr. TomlinsonI am always expecting to fulfil my programme and, provided nothing unforeseen gets in the way, I hope to do so.
§ 72. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Minister of Education if he will state the total amount of grant paid to local education authorities in Wales during the years 1938, 1939, 1947 and 1948, respectively; and the amount of grant estimated for 1949.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe total amounts of grant paid to local education authorities in Wales for the financial years 1937–38 and 1938–39 were £3,996,167 and £3,978,217, respectively. The total estimated amounts payable for the financial years 1946–47, 1947–48 and 1948–49 are £9,024,235, £9,952,826 and £11,160,226, respectively.
§ Mr. ThomasIs my right hon. Friend aware that, apart from the figures speaking for themselves, the Principality much appreciates this—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"] Why should it not? The Principality much appreciates the interest that is being taken in the development of our education service under the 1944 Act.