§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she has approved the Manchester Local Education Authority scheme for the subsidised provision of milk based drinks to primary school children; and whether she has made any estimate of the change in public expenditure if such a scheme were adopted nationally.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe answer is "No" to both parts of the Question.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children were receiving free milk in the United Kingdom in September 1970 and 1971, respectively.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeOn a day in September 1970, 4,275,151 pupils in maintained primary and secondary schools in England and Wales and 98,352 pupils in non-maintained schools received free school milk. Figures for 1971 are not yet available.
Information about schools in Scotland is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
25W
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many pupils affected by the Education (Milk) Act 1971 are receiving free milk on medical grounds.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeLocal education authorities have been asked to make a return of pupils receiving free milk on medical grounds as part of the census of school meals and milk which took place on a day in the period 4th to 15th October, 1971. Returns from authorities are not yet complete.