§ Mr. MICKLEMasked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that there are a large number of children attending the elementary schools in Watford who are unable, by reason of lack of food, to take full advantage of the education provided for them; and whether he can see his way to issue a circular to the local education authorities in Watford and other places calling their attention to the Education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906, and urging the desirability of putting the Act into operation in urgent cases?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWith regard to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I have no information. With regard to the second part of the question, I may point out that the local education authority for the Urban District of Watford is the Hertfordshire County Council to which the Urban District has relinquished its powers under the Education Act, 1902. The Board issued in January, 1907, a Circular on the effect of the Education (Provision of Meals) Act, 1906, which pointed out the possibilities opened up by the Act and the responsibilities entrusted by it to local education authorities. The Board have no authority to insist upon the adoption of the Act by local education authorities, and I have no reason to suppose that a further Circular on the subject of the Act would serve any useful purpose.