HC Deb 05 August 1971 vol 822 cc1830-1
15. Mr. Fox

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will take steps to encourage schools to offer a more varied menu as a means of ensuring that more children have a meal at school.

Mrs. Thatcher

The planning of menus for the school meal within overall nutritional standards laid down by my Department is a matter for individual authorities, but a choice of dishes is now a common feature of the school meal, particularly in secondary schools. I do not think that any further action on my part is required.

Mr. Fox

I thank my right hon. Friend, but I venture to disagree that a choice of menu is a more or less accepted thing, and in too many schools the fall-off in school dinners taken——

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must ask a question.

Mr. Fox

I shall not disagree, but I would ask that any encouragement to extend the choice should be welcomed. In my constituency, schools are now serving more dinners than ever before——

Mr. Speaker

Order.

Mrs. Thatcher

We have an informal inquiry in the Department, about the school meals service, and I shall certainly take note of what my hon. Friend said.

Mr. R. C. Mitchell

Is not the right hon. Lady aware that the main reason for the decrease in the take-up of school meals is the increase in price and nothing much to do with the menu? Will she, therefore, do everything she can to ensure that every school provides facilities for children who wish to take sandwiches and who cannot afford the new price?

Mrs. Thatcher

There is usually a fall-off in the take-up of school meals after an increase in price, whether that increase is imposed by a Conservative or by a Labour Government. I have put out a circular about sandwiches and the provision which we should like to see made for children who eat sandwiches on school premises.

Mr. Faulds

Even if a varied menu attracts more children to school meals, does not the right hon. Lady realise that they will not be those for whom the meal is too dear and who at the same time do not qualify for free meals?

Mrs. Thatcher

An increasing number will qualify for free meals when the income scales are raised yet again in September.

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