HC Deb 08 November 1949 vol 469 cc1039-40
17. Mrs. Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will empower local authorities to make an additional contribution from their funds to school meals and so obviate the increase of a penny per meal falling on the parents.

Mr. Woodburn

The policy of the Government is that, apart from payments made by parents towards the cost of the food, full financial responsibility for the necessary cost of school meals should be borne by the Exchequer and not by the local authority. I do not regard the small increase in the charge as justifying any departure from that policy.