HC Deb 12 March 1969 vol 779 cc1361-3
24. Sir M. Galpern

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities have withdrawn the supply of milk to secondary pupils under Section 3 of the Public Expenditure and Receipts Act, 1968; how many pupils are involved; what saving has been effected as a result of the withdrawal; and what evidence he has of the effect the withdrawal has on the health of the pupils.

Mr. Millan

The Act applies to all education authorities. About 306,000 pupils are affected and the saving in this financial year will be about £05 million. I have no evidence of any adverse effect on the health of the pupils.

Sir M. Galpern

Is my hon. Friend aware of a recent survey undertaken in the London area which established that a large number of pupils go to school without breakfast because parents go out to work? Will he instigate a similar study to ascertain the position in Scotland? Does he now agree that this cheeseparing economy on the part of the Government, which has saved this paltry sum and has denied secondary school pupils of an essential ingredient in their diets, should be reviewed?

Mr. Millan

No, I do not think that this calls for review. The survey mentioned by my hon. Friend was commissioned by the National Dairy Council. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science has already said that he will look at the figures produced by the survey if the survey will provide certain additional details. The whole question of nutrition affecting school children, and indeed other sectors of the population, is kept under review by the Committee on the Medical Aspects of Nutrition. Before we took this decision we looked at the nutritional consequences.

Mr. Brewis

If it is necessary to withdraw this concession, will the hon. Gentleman seek to ensure that education authorities install vending machines to try to sell as much as possible of this nutritious food, which is essential for the health of the children?

Mr. Millan

I will certainly look into that matter. I think that there are vending machines in a number of schools at present. As far as I am aware, there is nothing to prevent education authorities doing this.