§ 33. Mr. E. L. Mallalieuasked the Minister of Education if she is aware that since the increase in the price of school meals 400 schoolchildren have stopped taking them in Scunthorpe; and what she proposes to do about this.
§ Miss HorsbrughMy returns do not show separate figures for Scunthorpe. I have recently approved revised income scales submitted by the Lines, Lindsey local education authority for remission of charges to parents.
§ Mr. Bottomleyasked the Minister of Education the decline in the number of school meals taken in Rochester and Chatham out of the total decline of 247,822 from June, 1952, to June, 1953.
§ Miss HorsbrughI have no separate information about the number of school meals taken in Rochester and Chatham. Returns of school dinners are only required from local education authorities and excepted districts.
§ Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Education the daily average of dinners served in schools during June of this year; and 179W how this compares with the same month in 1952.
§ Miss HorsbrughI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 16th July to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner). I have no information about the daily average number of dinners served during June of this year.