HC Deb 15 December 1966 vol 738 cc640-1
18. Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will undertake a survey of the income qualifications current among various local education authorities for free school meals and for clothing grants.

Mr. Redhead

Since 1964, local education authorities in England and Wales have operated a uniform scale of income qualifications for free school meals, which my right hon. Friend has approved. The income qualifications for clothing grants are properly a matter for the discretion of local authorities.

Mr. Archer

While respecting the right of local authorities to make their own decisions, would they not find it helpful if they were given some guidance on this subject? Would my hon. Friend not agree that at the moment, at least in respect of the clothing grant, the provision available for a child depends not on its needs but on the accident of where it happens to live?

Mr. Redhead

I am not aware of any general dissatisfaction with the clothing grant arrangements which would warrant the survey suggested by my hon. Friend's Question. The grant made by authorities in respect of the cost of school uniforms, for example, means that while it is not usually large, about £10 for initial outfits, in respect of other hardship cases for other forms of clothing, there are provisions made and the scales used for this purpose are comparable with those for free school meals.

Mr. J. E. B. Hill

Is the Minister satisfied that the present regulations achieve a correct balance between the needs of the smaller and larger families?

Mr. Redhead

It is fair that I should say that the associations of local authorities are at present being consulted on a proposed increase for the qualifying income levels, to make them conform with the increase in supplementary benefits announced which took effect on 28th November, and this will more adequately reflect the situation.

Mrs. Knight

Would the hon. Gentleman assure us that no demarcation of any sort will exist in the arrangements for the issue of free meal tickets? In other words, will he ensure that children are not aware of who are and who are not getting free meal tickets?

Mr. Redhead

My experience has been that local authorities are usually extremely careful to avoid any possibility of that happening. This is an anxiety which we all share; and if anything to the contrary is brought to our notice, I assure the hon. Lady that it will receive our urgent attention.

35. Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many departmental and local authority staff are at present wholly or mainly employed with the administration of the school meals service; and what is the total annual cost so involved.

Mr. Redhead

Twenty-four of the Department's officers are so employed full-time or part-time, at an estimated annual cost, including overheads, of £57,848. Information on the number of local education authority staff employed is not available but the cost of their administration of the school meals service in 1965/66 was £4,326,000.

Mr. Onslow

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the cost of school meals and free milk now represents one-quarter of the annual running costs of primary schools? Is not this a field in which there is room for some economy of manpower and public money?

Mr. Redhead

In fact, the cost of administration forms only 5.4 per cent. of the sum total cost of the school meals service.