§ 5. Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him by local education authorities regarding the lower charge to be made to parents in respect of school meals for the second and remaining children in a family, as compared with the charge for the first child.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartNone, Sir. The regulations empower, but do not require, education authorities to make provision in their schemes for reduced charges for large families; and 26 of the 35 authorities have done so.
§ 25. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the terms of the recent communication sent to him by the county of Ayr on the subject of increased costs of school meals; and what was the nature of his reply.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartMy right hon. Friend has had no communication about the increased cost of school meals from the Ayrshire County Council since they submitted their scheme of charges on 24th February.
§ Mr. HughesBut is not the Minister aware that there is strong resentment in Ayrshire against the imposition of this purchase tax on school meals, and will he not advise the Treasury that the time has come to abolish it?
§ Mr. StewartIt is quite true that the county council made a strong protest against the increase in the charges for a mid-day meal, but their scheme was approved by the Department with an amendment which fixed the reduced charge for the second and subsequent child in a family at 7d., which is 2d. less, and with certain other drafting amendments. Therefore I think it can be taken that the county council are operating this scheme reasonably well and amicably at the present moment.
§ Mr. ManuelThey are not pleased with it.