asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of education authorities who make use of the milk-in-schools scheme; the number of other authorities who supply milk at reduced rates in connection with centres for maternity and child welfare; and the total quantity of milk so supplied for both purposes for the latest convenient period?

Mr. Lindsay:

Before the war the milk-in-schools scheme was in operation in some or all of the schools in the areas of 312 of the 315 local education authorities in England and Wales. In some areas where the schools have been closed since the outbreak of war the operation of the scheme has been temporarily suspended, but in all these cases the local education authorities are being urged to introduce emergency arrangements as soon as possible. The second part of the hon. Member's question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. The approximate quantity of milk supplied under the milk-in-schools scheme in October last was 1,500,000 gallons.

Dr. Guest:

Would it be correct to say that at the present time the milk-in- schools scheme is in operation in only 60 educational areas out of 315?

Mr. Lindsay:

I should like to have notice of the exact figure. I can say that over 60 per cent. of the figure which we had before the war is now being taken by the children at school. The hon. Gentleman will, of course, realise that that figure was in October.