§ 2. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Education the unit cost for food for school meals in 1955–56; and what estimate he has formed of the unit cost in 1956–57.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education (Mr. Dennis Vosper)The average food cost per meal in 1955–56 is not yet known, but is expected to be about 9.4d. I expect the cost in 1956–57 to be about 9.8d.
§ Mr. HaymanIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware of any extravagance in the use of potatoes by local education authorities? Is it his right hon. Friend's intention to surcharge such authorities, if the cost of potatoes exceeds the meagre figure which he has in mind?
§ Mr. VosperThe hon. Member has on the Order Paper another Question about potatoes about which two memoranda have been issued to local authorities. Provided that local authorities have paid reasonable attention to those circulars, the sort of situation which the hon. Member envisages will not arise.
§ 3. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Education the reasonable price for 668 potatoes to be purchased by local education authorities for school meals, referred to in his instructions to them in School Meals Service Memorandum No. 25 (Addendum No. 1).
§ Mr. VosperA reasonable price will vary with the type and quality of the potatoes and with other local circumstances; for these reasons my right hon. Friend prefers to leave discretion to local education authorities.
§ Mr. HaymanIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the market for new potatoes has already collapsed, causing consternation to growers in different parts of the country, including Cornwall? Will he think again, and try not to be so mean about this little item?
§ Mr. VosperMy right hon. Friend has withdrawn the memorandum limiting the use of potatoes. There is now no limit on the use of potatoes by local authorities.