§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to ensure that the information contained in the Department's Circular 11/68 of 23rd April, 1968, regarding the provision of free school dinners to fourth and subsequent children, is made known to the parent concerned.
§ Mr. Edward ShortA notice was issued to the Press at the time the Circular was issued. Local publicity was left to local education authorities.
§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will send a circular to local education authorities advising them to defray the cost of school dinners retrospectively in respect of fourth and subsequent children of parents who neglected to submit applications at the commencement of the scheme.
§ Mr. Edward ShortNo.
§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) in respect of how many children have applications been received for free school dinners under the scheme outlined in his Department Circular 11/68, relating to fourth and subsequent children;
(2) what is his estimate of the number of children qualified to benefit under the 47W scheme outlined in his Department Circular 11/68 relating to free school dinners for fourth and subsequent children.
§ Mr. Edward ShortApplications for free school dinners relating to fourth and subsequent children are not recorded separately from applications made on grounds of low parental income, but I estimate that from 250,000 to 303,000 additional free meals are provided daily as a result of this concession.