§ 39. Mr. Rhodesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will report his proposals for an improvement in the school meals service.
§ Mr. RedheadThe Departmental Working Party which was set up in February to review the nutritional recommendations made in the Department's Circular 290 of 1955 has now reported to my right hon. Friend and the report will be published shortly. He has accepted its recommendations which will be brought into effect in the summer term of next year.
§ Mr. RhodesI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the permitted cost at present of the meal content is less than 10d. per meal? Is he further aware that many experts describe the meat part of that content as appallingly bad? Since the quality of the meal is so much less than what the children are used to at home, will my hon. Friend implement the recommendation of the Working Party at the earliest convenience?
§ Mr. RedheadI have already indicated that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has accepted the recommendation of the Working Party which takes account of the feature to which my hon. Friend has referred.