§ 3. Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he expects to be able to announce a decision on the reintroduction of free school milk for children from eight to 11 years.
§ Mr. MulleyI have nothing to add to the reply given to similar Questions by the hon. Members for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) and Wokingham (Mr. van Straubenzee) on 17th June.—[Vol, 893, c. 1167–8.]
§ Mr. Kilroy-SilkMy hon. Friend's answer is unsatisfactory and disappointing. Does he not recall the words used in 1971 by my hon. Friend who is now the Under-Secretary when she led a very impressive and vigorous opposition to the legislation? Are not the words she used then relevant today? Does he not accept that many of the children who are most deprived are those who come from the poorest homes and are the people we are supposed to represent? Does he accept that it is unreasonable to expect children to go a whole day with nothing to drink but water, a situation which would give rise to an immediate walk-out if it happened in a factory or office? Does my right hon. Friend therefore appreciate that my hon. Friends and I would like to see the immediate reintroduction of free school milk?
§ Mr. MulleyThe immediate reintroduction of free school milk would not be possible because legislation would be necessary, and I am sure it has not escaped my hon. Friend's attention that there is a noticeable shortage of parlia- 1248 mentary time. We are not able to anticipate what may be in the next Queen's Speech. Equally, the economic situation means that certain restraints have to be exercised. It is against the background of these problems that we are nevertheless considering what we may be able to do.
§ Mr. McCrindleIs it still a matter of principle on the Government benches to reintroduce school milk for these children at some time in the future?
§ Mr. MulleyI thought that what I said was fairly clear. I said that against the background of the parliamentary and economic situation we were considering what we could do.