HC Deb 04 July 1950 vol 477 cc218-9
5. Mr. Manuel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of schools whose pupils qualify for transport by reason of the distance of their homes from schools in which there is no provision for mid-day meals.

Mr. McNeil

The number of schools in Scotland which normally include pupils for whom travelling facilities have to be provided and in which school meals are not served is 211.

Mr. Manuel

As this is a rather large proportion of schools and I am quite certain the Secretary of State would agree that it is the category in which school food is most needed, will he do something to jog the local authorities to make this provision as early as possible?

Mr. McNeil

There are 3,000 schools and the figure is 211. I do not think that by any stretch of imagination this could be considered a large proportion, but I shall be glad to consider any detailed proposal which my hon. Friend might care to make.

Mr. Carmichael

Can the Secretary of State tell us the number of pupils involved in these 211 schools?