§ Dr. H. Guestasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what is the number of education authorities now providing communal meals for their normal school population or for additional children billeted in their areas under the Government evacuation scheme, respectively; what is the number of centres at which such meals are given; and what is the total number of children receiving meals in the evacuation or reception areas, respectively?
Mr. LindsayI assume that the hon. Member refers to meals provided communally on payment by parents or house-holders. As regards provision for the1576W normal school population, the latest information available is for the year 1938–39, when arrangements for such communal meals were made in the areas of 112 local education authorities. It is not possible to give the number of centres. Information recently furnished to the Board shows that arrangements for the communal feeding of evacuated school children have so far been made in 49 areas. The number of new centres notified to the Board is 37, but in many cases meals are being provided for these children by an extension of existing canteen arrangements. It is not possible to give the total number of children at present receiving communal meals on payment in the evacuation or the reception areas. For the number receiving free meals I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 13th February to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. David Adams), of which I am sending him a copy.