asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of school dining halls in course of erection; the number which have been authorised and on which building operations have not yet commenced; and the number asked by local education authorities which have not yet been authorised by his Department.

The numbers are 154, 323 and 89.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many children have been dining at their desks in the classrooms for a very long period, and that there is perturbation among many school teachers who feel that the midday meal has not the value it should have when children are dining in the classrooms and doing school work immediately after?

I appreciate the worries of my hon. Friend, but there are so many urgent claims upon the limited building; resources of this country that I would be dishonest, and even disingenuous, if I added anything to my answer at this time.