§ 2. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education whether he will state the percentage of children taking school meals on 1st April, 1956, and 1st April, 1957.
§ Sir E. BoyleI regret that this information is not available, as my Departments' annual return relates to a selected date in the autumn.
Mr. CherwyndHave we no figures for April, 1956? Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the figures for this time of the year have previously been given, and as the recent increase in charges took place in April, is there not growing evidence that this increase is having an adverse effect on the number of children who are taking school meals, and cannot we have this information?
§ Sir E. BoyleThe first of April last year was Easter Day. Last autumn, we had certain figures. We shall not get further returns until this autumn, but if the hon. Gentleman will write to me, I will certainly send him what I can.