§ Mr. SEXTONasked the Minister of Health if he has received a communication from the education authority of St. Helens, Lancashire, to the effect that in 2213W case of a stoppage of work in the coal industry it is their intention, as in the case of a similar cessation of work in 1921, to feed the children of the miners during the continuance of the dispute, and requesting the Minister, if, as on that occasion, he is prepared to assist financially by a grant similar to that made by the Minister of Health of that period; and, if so, what he is prepared to do in the matter?
§ Lord E. PERCYI have been asked to reply to this question. I have received a letter from the St. Helens authority asking me to approve in advance an exceptional expenditure of £7,000 to be incurred on feeding school children in the event of an industrial dispute occurring. I have informed this and other local authorities that neither the board nor the authorities should be expected to commit themselves in advance to a definite estimate for such a purpose, but that authorities should notify my Department in the event of any emergency arising which entails a substantial increase of expenditure.