§ 31. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will seek powers to direct all schools to make milk available to those children whose parents are willing to pay for it.
§ Mrs. ThatcherIn Circular 12/71 I expressed the hope that authorities would be prepared to make milk available wherever there was sufficient demand for it. It is not my intention to seek further powers.
§ 36. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local education authorities are continuing to provide free school milk; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherAll local authorities are continuing to provide free school milk for those pupils entitled to it under174W the provisions of the Education Acts. No local education authorities in England are continuing to provide free milk contrary to the provisions of the Education (Milk) Act.
§ 40. Mr. Armstrongasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has yet received the returns showing how many children in Durham County and the Northern Region respectively are receiving medical milk under the provisions of the Education (Milk) Act, 1971; and if she will publish them.
§ Mrs. ThatcherIn Durham County, none at the date of the census. I understand that arrangements are proceeding in Durham for identifying children who should have free milk on health grounds, and that a small number are now being provided with it. It is expected that more will qualify. Complete returns for all the Northern Region local education authorities are not yet available.