§ 21. Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science to what extent is an estimate made of the proportion of children staying at school for dinner in planning the design of new schools.
§ Miss BaconIn all new school projects the local education authority is required to forecast the number of children staying for dinner, and to provide accommodation accordingly.
§ Mr. MarksIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is concern that this figure may be under-estimated in certain districts? Does she accept that there are difficulties in new primary schools caused by the use of teaching space for school meals? Will she examine this aspect?
§ Miss BaconThe normal cost limits for schools are intended to allow for kitchen and dining accommodation for up to 80 per cent. of the pupils. If we 580 think there will be a need for anything further than the 80 per cent., we try wherever possible to allow for this.