Mr. David Adamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will consider urging local authorities in providing meals for necessitous school children to include at least a minimum of fresh butter, cheese and fresh fruit; and whether he will cause inquiries to be carried out as to the terms upon which these could be purchased in bulk at appropriate seasons, with a view to their inclusion in school children's meals, in addition to the normal present diet of meat and potatoes and dried vegetables?
Mr. LindsayWhile there is still scope for considerable improvement in the2124W meals provided for necessitous undernourished school children it is not the case that the normal present diet consists of meat, potatoes and dried vegetables. Under normal conditions fresh fruit is recommended by the Board's officers as an essential when planning the dietaries, and local education authorities are advised that each mid-day meal should include either fresh fruit or fresh vegetables. The inclusion of dishes made with cheese is also recommended. The adoption of the Board's recommendations under present conditions will of course depend on the extent to which these foods will be available in war-time.