HC Deb 12 May 1950 vol 475 cc100-1W
Mr. Dodds

asked the Minister of Education what was the number of school-children regularly receiving milk in schools and school meals at 1st June, 1945; and what was the comparable number at the latest convenient date.

Mr. Tomlinson

The figures are as follow:

No. of pupils receiving milk No. of pupils having dinner at school
June, 1945 3,121,000 1,642,000
February, 1950 4,378,000 2,599,000

Mr. Chetwynd

asked the Minister of Education what is the number of pupils having school dinner and milk, respectively, as a percentage; and how does this compare with the average for 1949.

Mr. Tomlinson

The latest figures taken were on a day in February, 1950. I am adding the figures taken on a day in February and in October, 1949, which I think are more useful for comparison than the average of the percentages for the returns taken in February, June and October. Following are the figures:

Figures expressing as a percentage of the pupils present
No. having school dinner No. taking milk
per cent per cent
February, 1949 52.8 90.2
October, 1949 53.2 86.9
February, 1950 50.8 85.4