§ 19. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many replies he received from local education authorities concerning the recent circular advising the more extensive use of bread and margarine instead of potatoes in school meals; and how many authorities commented favourably on the suggestion, and how many unfavourably.
§ 32 and 33. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many local authorities are now following his recommendations to cut down the supply of potatoes to children partaking of school meals, and to substitute bread and margarine, rice and spaghetti instead;
(2) why he recommended in Memorandum 16/1958 that education authorities should cut supplies of meat and potatoes in school meals served; and what has been the response from local authorities concerned.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonI would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Lady's question on 18th November, 1958. The memorandum did not call for a reply and the advice was given only in case the need arose. Two 867 education authorities considered that the meal would not be so nutritious or so palatable.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the Minister aware that the reaction of local authorities to this circular was not entirely favourable? What are the peculiar attractions of rice, spaghetti and macaroni as substitutes for potatoes? Is be further aware that even if ¾oz. of these foods were substituted for potatoes, they can hardly be regarded as a milestone on the road towards doubling our standard of living in the next 25 years?
§ Mr. MacphersonReductions in these commodities may not prove necessary. The local authorities are only being asked to do what any prudent housewife would do and switch from commodities which are rising in price to commodities which are not rising in price.
§ Mrs. MannIs the Minister aware that the circular is in the interests of economy? Does that mean that because more children of the unemployed are now taking these dinners they have to have shabby dinners of bread and margarine, rice and spaghetti? Is the hon. Gentleman further aware that bread is 5½d. per lb., rice 1s. per lb. and spaghetti 1s. 2d. per lb., while there is a plentiful supply of good Scotch potatoes at 3½d. per lb.?
§ Mr. MacphersonThe circular only gives recommendations to local authorities about what they should do if they find that their budget is being taxed by Changes in price. It does not follow that any action has so far been necessary in any particular case.
§ Mrs. MannOwing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.
§ 28. Mrs. Mannasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many school children were taking free meals in schools throughout Lanarkshire during the last ten weeks of 1957 and 1958, respectively.
§ Mr. N. MacphersonThe information required by the hon. Member is not on record in my right hon. Friend's Department, but I understand that the average daily number of children receiving free meals in Lanarkshire for the month of November was 5,003 in 1957 and 6,822 in 1958.
§ Mrs. MannIs it not a fact that this circular sent out in October means that a piece of cheese could replace butcher's meat and that bread and margarine could replace potatoes? Does the hon. Gentleman think that a piece of bread and margarine with cheese on it is an adequate meal for a child? Would he take into consideration the fact that these children are coming from homes stricken with unemployment, and that they require a good substantial meal in the middle of the day? Would he look into the matter of the meals now being served?
§ Mr. MacphersonI do not think the hon. Lady would be right in decrying the meals that are being supplied, which are of a very high standard.