HC Deb 01 June 1967 vol 747 cc247-8
41. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now make a statement on the prices of school meals.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mrs. Shirley Williams)

No, Sir.

Mr. Hamilton

Can my hon. Friend say when she will be in a position to make a statement? Will it be a part of a package plan, and can she say whether purely economic considerations are being taken care of, or whether the very important social implications of an increase in the price of school meals will be set as a counter-force to the purely economic arguments?

Mrs. Williams

Answering Questions in the House on 13th April, my right hon. Friend pointed out that there were so many social and economic factors to be borne in mind in reaching a decision on this question that he indicated that there would be no early answer to the question of when school meal prices would be reviewed.

Mr. Roebuck

Is my hon. Friend aware that food prices will increase if we enter the European Economic Community? Has her Department had any discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture to establish whether this increase will be reflected in the price of school meals?

Mrs. Williams

My hon. Friend will know that it is not our application to join the European Economic Community but, rather, the Report of the Estimates Committee which has led to a consideration of school meal charges by my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Driberg

Does my hon. Friend recall that the last controversial announcement by her Ministry on the raising of overseas students' fees was made in reply to a Written Question on the eve of the Christmas Recess? Can we have an assurance that that will not be done again?

Mrs. Williams

I shall be happy to give that assurance on behalf of my right hon. Friend.