HC Deb 12 December 1978 vol 960 cc223-5
13. Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is her latest estimate of the number of children taking school meals; how this compares with the position in 1977, 1976, 1975 and 1970; and if she will make a statement.

Miss Margaret Jackson

We estimate that in October of this year some 5.1 million pupils in maintained schools in England were taking school meals on the census days, representing 66 per cent. of those present. The numbers for October 1977, 1976, 1975 and 1970 were 4.9 million, 5.5 million, 5.6 million and 4.9 million respectively.

Mr. Roberts

Will my hon. Friend recollect—of course she could not personally—that about half a century ago the great mass of working-class children were undernourished and suffered from rickets? The introduction of school meals has made a major contribution to producing the present healthy generation of youngsters. Does she agree that, in view of the serious downward trend in the numbers taking school meals, active steps should be taken to reduce the price of such meals with the eventual aim of providing free school meals?

Miss Jackson

I accept what my hon. Friend says about the value of school meals. However, I do not accept that there has been a significant downward trend. There was a substantial drop in 1977, which we have now recouped. The latest available estimate of take-up of this benefit is that about 80 per cent. of children entitled to do so took up free meals.

Mr. Tebbit

Will the Minister read out those figures again for the benefit of her hon. Friend the Member for Cannock (Mr. Roberts)? I do not think that he understood them. Will the Minister confirm that the number of children taking school meals increased sharply between 1970 and 1975 and then fell during her Administration until last year, and that the number has now increased again? I do not think that the hon. Gentleman understood that.

Miss Jackson

The hon. Gentleman is correct inasmuch as there was a substantial rise in the numbers of pupils taking free meals between 1970 and 1975, but the numbers are now more or less at the same level. As to his argument that this in some way rebounds to the credit of the Conservative Government, I suggest to him that it only shows how undernourished the pupils were in that period.