asked the President of the Board of Education the total number of children attending elementary and secondary schools who were receiving school meals at the end of October, and for the same period last year; and the total cost in each case?

The total number of public elementary school children in receipt of school meals under the former provision of Meals Acts (now re-enacted in Sections 82 to 85 of the Education (Consolidation) Act, 1921) at the end of October, 1922, was 52,921, as compared with 100,266 at the end of October, 1921. I cannot give the total gross or net cost of meals provided up to that date, but the average cost per meal supplied during the year ending 31st March, 1922, was 3·88d. The Provision of Meals Acts did not extend to secondary schools.

If the present rate of unemployment continues over the winter, is it the intention of the Department to continue the Provision of Meals (School Children) Act?

The question of the provision of meals is governed by Statute and I have no power to interfere with the operation of the Statute. It is laid down by Parliament.

Is it not a fact that the reduction in the number of children is due to the amount paid for the feeding of the children being placed against the amount of out-relief paid to the parents?

To a certain extent that is so, because a short time ago it became apparent that the design of Parliament to provide meals from the point of view of the education of the children was, to some extent, being used as poor relief and it was not an educational service.

That means that it has been shifted from the central fund on to the local rates.