§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what analysis her Department has made of the effects of recent changes in the school meals service.
§ Miss Margaret JacksonIt is too soon to attempt a detailed analysis of the effects of the increase in the school meal charge and of the August and November increases in the net income levels for remission of the charge. The results of the October school meals census will be available next month, but the results of the January census will be the first to show the effects of both these changes. The October census returns so far received indicate a fall of 10 per cent. in the number of pupils paying for their school meal, and an increase of 15 per cent. in the number of pupils taking a free meal.