§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in view of the concern of certain local authorities about the effect of the withdrawal of school milk from children in their area, if she will now consider special dispensation to local authorities who can produce evidence of need; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe Education (Milk) Act requires local education authorities to supply free milk to certain categories of pupils, including junior pupils over 7 years who are certified by a school medical officer to need the milk on health 267W grounds. It also enables authorities at their discretion to provide milk for sale to pupils in any of the schools they maintain. I have no power to grant dispensation from any of the provisions of the Act.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she is aware that many local authorities are concerned about the adverse nutritional effect of the withdrawal of school milk from children who may be away from home for over 9½ hours; if she will consider special powers to enable local authorities to provide school milk for such categories of children; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherIn so far as children with exceptionally long journeys to and from school do not receive free milk under the provisions of the Education (Milk) Act, I would hope that the local education authorities concerned would arrange to make milk available for those who wished to buy it. Authorities already have power under the Act to do this.