§ 1. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the numbers of school children receiving school dinners in Fife, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee on 1st March, 1951, and on 1st July, 1951, respectively.
The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. McNeil)As comparison is most easily effected by a tabular arrangement, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan my right hon. Friend indicate now whether there is any substantial decrease in the numbers, and if there is any decrease and the figures continue to fall, will he indicate what steps he will take to review the position?
Mr. McNeilAs my hon. Friend doubtless knows from an answer which I have given before, there is no substantial decrease over the whole picture. If the general situation should change, I would consider the position again.
§ Following is the information:
| March, 1951. | June, 1951. | ||
| Fife | … | 20,674 | 18,200 |
| Lanarkshire | … | 34,996 | 32,744 |
| Ayrshire | … | 19,476 | 18,515 |
| Glasgow | … | 59,073 | 57,831 |
| Edinburgh | … | 19,800 | 18,536 |
| Aberdeen Burgh | … | 6,017 | 5,669 |
| Dundee | … | 10,527 | 9,868 |
| The figures are for June, because most of he schools were closed by 1st July. |