§ Mr. Isaacsasked the President of the Board of Education how many London education authorities for secondary schools make provision for the supply of free solid meals and free milk, respectively; how many children receive such meals or milk or both; and whether a 50 per cent, grant is made for this purpose or is now increased by 20 per cent. as for free meals for necessitous children in elementary schools?
§ Mr. RamsbothamThe London County Council is the education authority for the whole of the administrative county of London. In the 12 secondary schools maintained by the Council which are now open there are at present no school canteens, but it is expected that they will be reopened shortly. It is not the practice to make direct provision of free meals or milk in the London secondary schools, but in cases of need dinner grants are made in order to assist the parents in paying for meals at school for their children, while, in addition, many parents receive maintenance allowances which can be used for the purchase of meals and milk. Expenditure by local education authorities on the provision of meals and milk in secondary schools is eligible for grant at the rate of 50 per cent.; the increased rates of grant announced in Circular 1520 are applicable only to elementary schools.