[168]. Ibid., clause 2. The Select Committee to which the Bill had been referred, while of opinion "that the local education authority ought to undertake the administration rather than the Boards of Guardians," nevertheless recommended that it should be the duty of the Guardians to recover the cost from neglectful parents. (Report of Select Committee on the Education (Provision of Meals) Bills (England and Scotland), 1906, pp. viii., x.) They accordingly inserted a provision to this effect (see the Education (Provision of Meals) Bill as amended by the Select Committee, No. 331 of 1906, clause 2). This was amended in the committee stage in the House of Commons. (Hansard, December 7, 1906, Vol. 166, pp. 1439-1444.
[169]. 6 Edward VII., c. 57, clause 4.
[170]. Ibid., clause 3.
[171]. Ibid., clause 6.
[172]. Hansard, December 20, 1906, Vol. 167, pp. 1662-1670.
[173]. Ibid., December 21, 1906, pp. 1865-1881.
[174]. 8 Edward VII., c. 63 (December 21, 1908). A Bill was introduced by the Government in 1907, but was withdrawn. (Hansard, March 20, 1907, Vol. 171, pp. 880-883.) For an account of the provision made in Scotland see Appendix II.
[175]. Report of Select Committee on the Education (Provision of Meals) Bills (England and Scotland), 1906, p. vi.
[176]. Aston Manor was the first town to apply for authority to levy a rate. Bradford, Manchester, and other towns soon followed. During the year ended March 31, 1908, 40 authorities were authorised to levy a rate. During the two following years the number was increased to 85 and 96 respectively. (Report on the Working of the Education (Provision of Meals) Act up to March 31, 1909, p. 8; Report of the Board of Education for 1908-9, p. 123; ditto for 1909-10, p. 62.)
[177]. Appendix to Minutes of the Hull Education Committee, October 22, 1909.