§ 24. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the big reduction in the number of meals partaken of by the school children in Merthyr Tydfil because of the increased charge recently imposed by his Department; and if he will therefore reconsider this increase.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe decision to raise the charge for school dinners to 6d. was taken by the Government in order to effect necessary economies in national expenditure. The answer to the second part of the Question is, therefore, "No, Sir."
§ Mr. DaviesHas my right hon. Friend now had sufficient evidence to appreciate the disastrous consequences of this decrease in the numbers of school meals? 547 Is he not aware that in my own constituency the reduction in the number of meals taken by the children amounts, some weeks, to 25 per cent.?
§ Mr. TomlinsonYes, Sir. I am aware of the effect in my hon. Friend's constituency, and I am very sorry that a number of Merthyr Tydfil parents have withdrawn their children from school dinner service since the price went up to 6d. But I would remind my hon. Friend that this charge is within the daily average expenditure on food, and that the gross cost of the meal is nearer 1s. 2d. than 6d.
Squadron-Leader A. E. CooperIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the free meals service for schools was an integral part of the family allowances scheme, and that the decision of the Ministry to increase this charge is a reversal of a decision of Parliament? Will he instruct the Lord President of the Council to inform the public that it is the intention of the Labour Government to reduce the social services?
§ Mr. DaviesIn view of the unsatisfactory reply given by my right hon. Friend, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity on the Motion for the Adjournment.
§ 25. Mr. S. O. Daviesasked the Minister of Education to what extent the big reduction in the number of meals now taken by the children in the schools of Merthyr Tydfil has affected the unit cost per meal.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe unit costs for Merthyr Tydfil's school dinners, which were based on estimates made by the local education authority in October, were fixed in December last. If the authority find that the amount of dinner grant due to them, on the basis of those costs, falls short of their expenditure, it is open to them to submit for consideration under the grant regulations that this situation arises from the drop in the number of meals caused by the increased charge compared with the number on which they based their October estimate.