§ 144. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Education how many school children in England and Wales receive milk, what is the total annual amount and cost; and 198W whether schools indent for the full amount; and if he is satisfied that the amount delivered is drunk by the children and that there is no waste.
§ Mr. TomlinsonIn October last nearly 4,400,000 children in grant-aided schools were drinking school milk. 37,750,000 gallons of milk were supplied to these schools in the year 1946–47, and the cost to public funds of this supply and its distribution was £5,244,000. Circular 119, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member, indicated the arrangements for ordering milk and emphasised the need for keeping indents to the quantity actually required and for informing suppliers of day-to-day variations. I am satisfied that all concerned are doing their utmost to prevent waste.
§ 145. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Education how many prosecutions there have been since 1st January, 1947, to the latest available date, and how many have been successful, for the misappropriation of milk delivered for school children in England and Wales.
§ Mr. G. TomlinsonStatistics are not available, but only one prosecution, a successful one, has been reported to me.