§ 86. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education by how many the number of 252W children taking school dinners has fallen since 1951, following the increase in price from 7d. to 1s., in Salford and nationally, respectively.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe number of day pupils taking the school dinner in England and Wales rose by 285,000 between the autumns of 1951 and 1956, when the charge was 7d. and 10d., respectively; but, because of the increase in the school population, the proportion taking the school dinner fell from 49.9 per cent. to 47.9 per cent. In Salford, the number fell by 1,460 over the same period, representing a reduction from 47.5 per cent. to 39.9 per cent. The first return following the increase of the charge to a shilling will be that to be submitted in October.
§ 93. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Education if, in view of the fact that fewer children are taking school meals since the last increase in charges, he will consider reviewing the income scales under which children receive free or part paid meals.
§ Sir E. BoyleThe number of children taking the school dinner since the increase in the charge in April will not be known until local education authorities submit their annual return in October. My noble Friend does not think that any general review of arrangements for the remission of the charge is necessary, but he is always ready to consider proposals from authorities to adjust their scales.