HC Deb 04 December 1984 vol 69 cc157-8
2. Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many schoolchildren now receive free school meals.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Bob Dunn)

In autumn 1983, which is the latest date for which figures are available, 1,076,585 children were receiving free school meals on the day of the school meals census.

Mrs. Short

Is the Minister aware that the Tory county councils, which many of his hon. Friends represent, have reduced school meals to a minimum, further depriving families which are already deprived because of the Government's policies? Will he now consider the matter and instruct county councils which have reduced school meals to a minimum to reassess their policy and to ensure that children get their meals and that the women who were working in the school meals service get their jobs back?

Mr. Dunn

I cannot accept the hon. Lady's view. Most local authorities try hard to provide a balanced meal for all children who are entitled to take it or who wish to partake of a school meal. Children whose families receive family income supplement and supplementary benefit are entitled to free school meals, and the authorities make every effort to give a child a balanced meal under those circumstances.

Mr. Holt

Does my hon. Friend accept that many of the parents of the children receiving free meals today will, through their own endeavours and hard work, reach a status in society which will make it likely that, later on, their children will be in the catchment area but will be denied grants under the Secretary of State's proposals. Are those not the very children whom we ought to be protecting?

Mr. Dunn

Both my right hon. Friend and I are somewhat confused about the point that my hon. Friend is making.