§ 3. Sir T. Mooreasked the Minister of Education what arrangements are in 2122 hand to relieve teachers from the responsibility of serving children's meals in the schools under her supervision.
§ Miss HorsbrughGuidance on the arrangements to be made for the supervision of pupils taking school dinners was given to local education authorities in Circular 97, dated 12th April, 1946, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Sir T. MooreIs my right hon. Friend aware that teachers are still employed on, so to speak, unprofessional tasks, and that there is a certain amount of discontent among them?
§ Miss HorsbrughI think the teachers are employed in supervising but not in serving the meals. I have been in consultation as I have gone round the schools, and I think that the arrangements are now very well organised. Children are waiting on themselves and there is a minimum number of teachers employed in supervising.
§ Mr. G. ThomasIs the Minister aware that when these arrangements were first entered into teachers accepted the responsibility for supervising duties, but that they do look to her to protect them from any additional duties being added?
§ Miss HorsbrughYes, Sir. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that if they needed any protection I should give it to them.
§ Mr. McGovernWill the right hon. Lady instruct the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore) that the Secretary of State for Scotland looks after the Ayr schools?
§ Miss HorsbrughIf I had thought that my hon. and gallant Friend was referring to schools in Scotland, naturally the Question would have gone to the Secretary of State for Scotland.
§ Sir T. MooreIs my right hon. Friend aware that I am not so parochial as to restrict my interest in this matter to Scotland?