HC Deb 19 November 1970 vol 806 cc450-2W
28. Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement of her Department's estimate of the effects on child health of withdrawing free school milk from primary school children over the age of seven years.

Mrs. Thatcher

Children who need school milk on health grounds will continue to receive it on the certification of the school medical officer. There should therefore be no adverse effects.

29. Mr. Charles R. Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received regarding the proposed withdrawal of free school milk from primary school children over seven years of age; and what replies she has sent.

Mrs. Thatcher

From the National Union of Teachers and three of its local branches, one local parent teacher association and so far about 50 from members of the public. I am replying pointing out that free milk will continue to be available to children between the ages of seven and twelve where this is recommended by the school medical officer.

44. Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will take steps to appoint more school medical officers to check on malnutrition among schoolchildren on Tynside as a result of the increase in the cost of school meals and the withdrawal of milk in schools.

Mrs. Thatcher

The appointment of school medical officers rests with the local education authorities concerned. Milk will continue to be supplied free where medically necessary.

55. Mrs. Doris Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will consult the teachers' associations regarding regulations for the arrangements for the sale of milk in primary and secondary schools.

Mr. van Straubenzee

Yes.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will state the number and proportion of schoolchildren in the Rother Valley division of the West Riding of Yorkshire who receive free school meals and the number of those who purchase meals; and if she will give an estimate of the numbers and proportion who will cease to do so as a result of the proposed increase in price.

Mr. van Straubenzee

The following is the information related to a day in the week beginning 21st September, 1970.

Number Percentage
Children in attendance 18,715 —
Children taking school meals
On payment 11,718 62.6
Free 1,690 9.0
The Authority estimate, on the basis of past experience, that, when the charge is raised in April next, about 10 per cent. of children who now pay will cease to do so; and that the number receiving free meals will rise by some 15–18 per cent. There must, however, be an element of conjecture in any such estimate.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what organisations have made representations to her Department on the proposal to withdraw school milk from primary school children over the age of seven years; and what procedures will be adopted to ensure that welfare milk is supplied to those children who will need it.

Mrs. Thatcher

The National Union of Teachers and three of its local branches, and one parent-teacher association. I am discussing with the local education authorities the procedures to be adopted for obtaining recommendations from school medical officers for the supply of free school milk to children who need it on health grounds.