§ 66. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local authorities have been providing free refreshments to children over seven years of age in order to surmount her prohibition of free school milk; and what action she has taken, or proposes to take, towards these authorities.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeMy right hon. Friend has not collected any information about authorities which are providing mid-morning refreshment for pupils who lost their entitlement to free school milk under the Education (Milk) Act. Authorities have recently been told that any such refreshment may not be provided free of charge.
§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will lay down criteria as to charges which local education authorities should make for refreshment other than school dinners and milk under regulation 5(2) of the Provision of Milk and Meals Regulations.
§ Mrs. ThatcherThe Regulation provides that local education authorities should make such charges as they consider appropriate and I have no plans at present to amend it.