§ 51. Mrs. Cullenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the reduction in the number of schoolchildren in Glasgow taking school meals since the recent increase in the cost of school meals.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe increase of 2d. per meal took effect from 1st April, 1957. In May, 1957, the number of school children in Glasgow taking school meals was 49,373. This represented a decrease of 9,158, or 15.6 per cent., on the numbers taking meals in September, 1956.
§ Mrs. CullenDoes not the Minister think that this decrease is clue to the increase in the cost?
§ Mr. MacphersonThese school meals still represent extremely good value for money, and the vast majority of parents recognise that. Moreover, the percentage of those taking school meals in Glasgow who get them free, comparing September, 1956 with May, 1957, shows an increase from 19.1 per cent, to 24.7 per cent.
§ Mr. T. FraserWill the hon. Member pay attention to the 9,000 who are not now taking these school meals? Has he any reason to believe that they are getting a decent meal at home, or does he think, as some of us think, that they are more likely to be taking a midday meal of bread and jam? Are the Government proud of that?
§ Mr. MacphersonNo. The experience after a previous increase under both Governments was that there was a decline in the numbers taking the school meals but that after a certain lapse of time the numbers again recovered to near their previous level.