§ Mr. T. SMITHasked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered representations made to him by local authorities that local educational authorities should be empowered to provide meals for boys and girls attending juvenile instruction centres; and whether, in view of the concern of medical authorities about the physical condition of adolescents, the Minister will introduce legislation giving local authorities the power to provide these meals?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MUIRHEADMy right hon. Friend has taken note of representations made to him in the sense to which the hon. Member refers. There is, under the existing law, no authority to provide free meals in these cases, but my right hon. Friend has under active consideration the question of the measures which can most effectively be taken to improve the physical condition of juveniles attending junior instruction centres.