§ 7. Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she has taken to recommend confidentiality for recipients of free school meals.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonThis matter has been brought to the attention of local education authorities on many occasions. In circular 3/78, which was issued in January this year, my right hon. Friend emphasised the importance of trying to avoid practices which would allow pupils receiving free meals to be identified by other pupils.
§ Mr. FreudWill the Minister draw to the attention of the few schools which still openly differentiate between recipients of paid and free school meals the many that now organise this properly and with discretion?
§ Miss JacksonWe are always willing to do so when any such cases are drawn to our attention. Occasionally it is the case that such allegations are made and they are proved to be not altogether accurate. Certainly they are always investigated and followed up with care.
§ Miss Joan LestorDoes my hon. Friend agree that, whatever the intention may be, there is a great deal of difference between the way in which schools handle the matter of free school meals? Is it not about time that this country found a different way of financing school meals than by forcing children to pay or not pay, as the case may be? Will she, therefore, set up a working party to study some alternatives?
§ Miss JacksonI think that many of the questions about financing school meals have been gone into fairly thoroughly in the past, but I shall consider my hon. Friend's advice.