§ 9. Mr. Prydeasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that there are 1,706 fewer children being supplied with school meals in Midlothian 1541 compared with February of this year; and, as this represents 34.2 per cent. of the total number, if he can give any reason for this decline.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartThe decline shown by the figures referred to, which relate to the month of June, was due partly to the increased charges and partly to a seasonal fall-off in demand which takes place in the summer. I am glad to say that the October returns, now available, show, as compared with those for June, an increase of 613 in the number of children taking meals.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan the Minister say, since these figures compare those of February and June, what the comparable figure was for June, 1952?
§ Mr. StewartI am sorry but I have not that information. I will get the figure for the hon. Gentleman if he would like to have it.
§ 13. Mr. Carmichaelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of children provided with school meals in Glasgow during the months of March and September this year; and if he will give an estimate of the reason for the disparity in the returns for these two months.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartThe information asked for for the month of September is not readily available. Returns obtained in March and October show, however, that 52,996 children received meals in March and 54,195 in October. The increase is due to an upward trend in the demand for school meals.