asked the Minister of Education to what extent the use of plastic ware in feeding school children has received his approval.

The use of plastic ware in the school meals service does not require my right hon. Friend's approval. Equipment needed for this service is purchased direct by local education authorities.

Will the hon. Gentleman agree that the whole purpose of feeding school children, through his Department, is not only to provide them with food for their sustenance but also to see that they eat it in the best possible surroundings? If this be accepted by him and his right hon. Friend, will he agree that it is a very poor substitution for delectable pottery to offer plastic ware to children?

I think that the local education authorities ought to be free to decide for themselves whether they buy earthenware plates or plastic ones, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that, nowadays, authorities are generally buying earthenware plates rather than plastic plates, although plastic beakers or tumblers of toughened glass are generally preferred for the practical reason that they are less easily broken than earthenware ones.