§ 33. Mr. Dellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to draw to the attention of local authorities which are not education authorities their power under the Local Government (Financial Provisions) Act, 1963, to spend up to a 0.46p rate on the provision of free school milk, a power which under the Local Government Bill will be possessed by local authorities covering the whole country.
§ Mr. DellWhy does not the hon. Gentleman wish these powers to be used, perhaps with the assistance of grants from the Department? Is he aware that I 448 have received a petition signed by 12,000 of my constituents asking for the restoration of free school milk? In the present atmosphere of public expenditure, surely their wish could be granted?
§ Mr. SpeedWe are following the admirable precedent of the Labour Government which withdrew school milk from secondary schools and did not issue this advice.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that some local authorities, in Derbyshire at least, are having more than a little difficulty in defying the Government by providing school milk under the Finance Act, 1963, because .46 of a penny is not adequate to cover 52 weeks? Will he help them to defy the Government all the year round?