§ Mr. G. Griffithsasked the President of the Board of Education how many local education authorities for secondary schools make provision for the supply of free solid meals and free milk; what are their respective names; and how many children receive such meals, or milk, or both?
§ Mr. RamsbothamNo information is available as to the number of local education authorities for higher education who make direct provision for free meals and milk for necessitous pupils in secondary 623W schools, or as to the number of pupils who receive such meals or milk. Even if information were available it would not show the extent to which parents are assisted in paying for meals or milk for their children, as it is the practice in many areas to provide free meals and milk indirectly by giving maintenance allowances to the parents which can be used for this and other purposes. I do not, therefore, feel justified in present conditions in asking local education authorities to furnish a return of the number of pupils who receive meals or milk without cash payment.