§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, in consequence of the elementary schools closing for the long vacation within the course of the next few days, the provision of meals by the education authorities for necessitous school 1377W children will automatically cease; and if he intends to issue an Order empowering the various education authorities to continue the feeding of the necessitous children during the vacation?
§ Mr. BURNSI am willing to consider applications made in circumstances of exceptional emergency, but, as I have explained on previous occasions, I do not consider that I am authorised to sanction in ordinary circumstances the incurring of expenditure by education authorities in feeding school children during holiday times. Such an Order as is suggested would be beyond my proper powers.