HC Deb 18 November 1971 vol 826 cc615-7
11. Mr. Carter

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the latest figure available for children eating school meals; and how this com- pares with the figure prior to the last increase in price.

Mrs. Thatcher

The latest figure available refers to the position in the areas of 146 local education authorities out of 163. This shows that 4,105,000 pupils, or 59.4 per cent. of those present on the day of the census, were taking the school dinner. This compares with 4,553,000, or 67.5 per cent., in autumn 1970.

Mr. Carter

Do not those figures confirm that the much-promised return to former levels has not taken place? Is the right hon. Lady aware that many thousands of school children are now going all day without a cooked meal, with consequent deterioration in their health? Will she set in train an immediate inquiry to ascertain the disastrous effects of this policy?

Mrs. Thatcher

There has been a substantial increase in the uptake of school meals since last May. Also, there has been a substantial increase in the number of meals served free, from 575,000 in the autumn of 1970 to 733,000 in the autumn of 1971.

Mr. Dormand

Over what period does the right hon. Lady expect the number to return to the former figure? It seems to me that she has completely ignored the point put to her by my hon. Friend. She has said in the House many times that it would be a temporary reduction. What is the period?

Mrs. Thatcher

It is not possible to give a period. I believe that the pattern of school meals is changing, especially in secondary schools, and the change is due to factors other than the increase in the price of school meals.

21. Mr. Kaufman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether, following her Department's latest survey, she will state the number and percentage decline in children taking school meals following the recent price increase, giving them for the country as a whole and also separately for the City of Manchester.

Mrs. Thatcher

On a day in October 1971, 60,753 pupils in maintained schools in Manchester, representing 65.5 per cent. of those present, took the school meal compared with 67,654, or 72.4 per cent. in September 1970. The full results of the latest survey are not yet available, but returns to date suggest that about 60 per cent. of the pupils present took the school meal in October 1971.

Mr. Kaufman

Is the right hon. Lady aware that she is rapidly becoming to British education what Attila the Hun was to Western civilisation? Will she come to Manchester and explain to the parents there why she takes such satisfaction in depriving thousands of their children of nourishment?

Mrs. Thatcher

I will gladly come to Manchester and tell the people why I have done more to alleviate conditions in 6,000 squalid primary schools than any other Minister of Education.