Milk and Meals (Cost)

HC Deb 05 October 1944 vol 403 cc1158-9W

Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Education whether he will state the cost of supplying milk and meals to children attending schools.

Mr. Butler

According to the estimates submitted by local education authorities at the beginning of the present financial year, their net expenditure for the year on the provision of meals and milk for children attending public elementary schools will amount to about £9,000,000. This figure does not include the provision of premises and equipment free of cost by the Ministry of Works under the arrangements set out in Circular 1629, a copy of which I am sending my hon. Friend, nor does it include the cost of enabling the schools to obtain milk at the special rate of ½d. per ⅓ pint under the Milk in Schools Scheme. Corresponding figures for secondary schools are not available.