§ 28. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the latest figures available showing the effect of the recent 1d. increase in the price of school dinners.
Mr. McNeilIt is estimated that there has been a decrease of just under 1.6 per cent. in the number of pupils taking school dinners.
§ Mr. HamiltonMay I ask my right hon. Friend two questions? First, is he absolutely convinced that this sum of money could not have been saved in more desirable directions from our point of view? Secondly, is he aware that the extra pennies for over 14 million school meals could have been provided by cutting out £60,000 from the annual increment paid to Queen Mary?
Mr. McNeilI do not think the second part arises at all. I have been anxious to vary the scheme in any detail which would make it easier for these authorities, but my hon. Friend must know that, happily, the drop is not significant.
§ 37. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of school children in Glasgow receiving meals; and what the effect on these numbers are following the recent increases in the cost of the meal.
Mr. McNeilThe number dropped from 59,000 in March to 57,800 in June. This, however, I am glad to point out, is not more than the usual seasonal decrease.