§ 104. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Education how many children ceased to take school dinners when the price was raised from 5d. to 6d.; to what extent this was due to other reasons than the increase in price; and what are the present circumstances which make it necessary to increase the present charge for school dinners to 7d.
§ Mr. TomlinsonIn the returns made for a single day in October, 1949, and October, 1950, the percentages of children present who took school dinners were 53.2 and 50.4. It is not possible to say how much of the difference was due to the increased charge and how much to the operation of other causes. My reason for deciding to increase the charge to 7d. was, as indicated in a recent Circular (of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy), the need in present circumstances for reducing the charge on the Exchequer.